This electric truck eliminates the $3,400 annual fuel cost that kills gas truck owners

An electric truck is being marketed as a way to eliminate the recurring $3,400 annual fuel bill that owners of gas trucks face, shifting the focus to lower operating costs. The article cites maintenance benchmarks from RepairPal for popular pickups: average annual maintenance of $788 for a Ford F-150, $715 for a Chevrolet Silverado 1500, $478 for a Toyota Tacoma, and $502 for a Honda Ridgeline. It then describes Slate Auto’s approach with a two-door, rear-wheel-drive EV using a composite body and a single motor mounted at the rear. The Jeff Bezos-backed startup says it began formal preorders for a $24,950 electric pickup, targeting limited deliveries in late 2026 and scaling factory production in 2027. The plan centers on customization through an accessories marketplace and maintenance largely by the owner, aiming to reduce the expensive ownership model typical of trucks.