Sorry Canada, Slate Won’t Sell Its Cheap Electric Truck, But Ford Will

America’s most affordable new electric truck won’t cross the border into Canada, leaving Canadian buyers without access to Slate Auto’s bargain-priced electric pickup. The Indiana-based startup confirmed to Automotive News Canada that it has no plans to sell its vehicles in Canada, effectively shutting out the country from its ultra-low-cost EV lineup.

Slate’s pricing starts at $24,950 for its two-seat electric truck, with deliveries slated to begin in late 2026. The company’s minimalist approach strips away modern frills like power windows, keyless entry, and large touchscreens, offering instead hand-crank windows, a projected 205-mile (330 km) range, and a focus on add-on accessories rather than pre-installed tech.

Its SUV variants, the Squareback and Fastback, start at $29,950 and $31,950 respectively. However, Canadian customers won’t get the chance to experience this stripped-down EV philosophy firsthand.

The decision likely stems from economics: Slate builds its trucks in Indiana, meaning they’d face Canada’s 25% retaliatory tariffs on American-built vehicles, which could erase the price advantage that makes the truck so appealing south of the border. With around 180,000 reservations, Slate is banking on affordability as its key selling point, but converting those refundable deposits into actual sales remains a challenge.

Meanwhile, Canadian shoppers craving an inexpensive electric pickup aren’t entirely out of luck. Ford is preparing to launch its own compact electric truck, expected to start below $30,000 in the US, where it will also be built.

Unlike Slate’s offering, Ford’s truck is planned for Canadian showrooms, though pricing north of the border could still be affected by tariffs and exchange rates. For now, the title of America’s cheapest new electric truck remains exclusive to the US market.