Image Credit: Jay Leno's Garage/YouTubeWhen Slate Auto announced its new electric pickup truck in April 2025, it was billed as costing less than $20,000 thanks to the federal tax credit that would have knocked $7,500 off the asking price. But President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill Act' removed the tax credit from EVs.That saw the price rise to around $25,000, which for a brand-new EV and a pickup truck was still a good deal. Others were frustrated as it potentially pushed other vehicle prices up and closer to the $50,000 mark.But if you do want a Slate truck for $20,000, then you may be in luck. Because there is still a way for you to get your hands on the truck, for around that price point. That still takes into account the loss of the federal tax credit, which was certainly a blow to the EV manufacturer.AdvertisementAdvertisementSlate Auto, though, is still highly confident that people will buy the truck, even with the tax cut taken out of the equation. Plus, there are still 15 U.S. states that reward people for buying an electric vehicle. Meaning some money can still be saved on the Slate Truck, under certain conditions.How To Save Some Money on the Slate Pickup TruckImage Credit: Slate AutoIn California, for example, the state offers up to $12,000 via the Clean Cars 4 All program. This is for those who are at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty line, and if they scrap a running internal-combustion car. Maine gives $8,000 to lower-income citizens. In Oregon, the state will still match the original $7,500 tax cut for low-income households, thanks to the Charge Ahead program.If you live in Massachusetts or Vermont, there is further good news. These states will offer up to $5,000 to the lowest-income residents. This would mean that the retail price for the Slate truck, which is set to be $24,50, would once again drop below the $20,000 mark. That could be a big break for those families or households that, at the new, higher price, were perhaps priced out of the EV.Thankfully, there are also plenty more EV incentives still available. Some of these are in Illinois, Colorado, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Maryland, Minnesota, and New York. There are also incentives still available in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey. One thing to note is that these are more modest, and residents would only be able to get between $2,000 and $4,000. But it would still help to bring the price of the EV down.Why the Lower Price Mattered So Much for the Slate TruckImage Credit: Slate AutoThe removal of the tax certainly created an uproar. Overnight, many EVs saw their price jump by $7,500, with many such as Slate offering the federal tax cut as an incentive to buy a vehicle. It didn't help that the Slate Auto pickup truck was, by design, of course, quite a basic EV without many creature comforts. The truck only comes with two seats, and it lacks features such as power windows.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Slate also doesn't have an infotainment screen, and there isn't a basic radio either. It was a tough sell when a Ford Maverick offered more than that, and a larger truck, at roughly the same price. But the Slate EV is offering something a little different. It is literally a blank slate, and for an electric vehicle, it is still priced incredibly cheaply. So maybe its time use one of those incentives while you still can.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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