Jeff Bezos’ Representative Departs Slate Auto’s Board Amid Strategic Shifts
In a significant development within the electric vehicle (EV) industry, Melinda Lewison, the head of investments at Bezos Expeditions, has stepped down from the board of directors at Slate Auto, an EV startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. This departure, confirmed through state filings in Delaware, Florida, and Massachusetts, leaves Bezos without direct representation on Slate’s board as the company gears up to launch its affordable electric truck later this year.
Slate Auto, established in 2022, has been a notable player in the EV market, aiming to produce a low-cost electric pickup truck priced around $25,000. The startup has attracted significant attention, not only for its ambitious product but also due to its association with Bezos and a team comprising several former Amazon executives.
The exact timeline of Lewison’s departure remains unclear, but it appears to have occurred in recent months. Neither Slate Auto nor representatives for Lewison and Bezos have provided comments on the matter. This move raises questions about Bezos’ ongoing involvement and support for the startup, especially as he shifts his focus toward other ventures, notably Project Prometheus—a robotics initiative that secured over $6 billion in funding late last year and is reportedly seeking an additional $100 billion to acquire and automate industrial companies using artificial intelligence.
Bezos’ level of engagement with Slate Auto has always been somewhat ambiguous. The company has not disclosed the amount of Bezos’ contribution to its initial $120 million funding round in 2023. Furthermore, it remains unconfirmed whether he participated in the subsequent Series B round, which brought the total funding to approximately $700 million.
In April 2026, Slate Auto announced a $650 million Series C funding round. The only named lead investor was TWG Global, a firm led by Guggenheim Partners CEO Mark Walter. Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Slauson & Co., an existing investor, also confirmed its participation. Notably, Bezos’ involvement in this latest funding round was not specified.
Chris Barman, Slate’s first hire and former CEO, indicated during a TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 event that Bezos maintained a pretty hands-off approach. She mentioned that while Bezos had engaged with the team and reviewed the vehicle, he largely allowed the company to focus on bringing the product to market without direct interference.
Despite Lewison’s departure, Slate Auto continues to be heavily influenced by Amazon alumni. The company was co-founded by Jeff Wilke, former CEO of Amazon’s Consumer division. Additionally, Peter Faricy, a former Vice President of Amazon Marketplace, was appointed as Slate’s CEO in March 2026. Several other divisions within the company are led by former Amazon employees, underscoring the deep ties between Slate Auto and the e-commerce giant.
As Slate Auto approaches the production phase of its affordable electric truck, the absence of Bezos’ direct representation on the board marks a pivotal moment. The company’s ability to navigate this transition and successfully bring its product to market will be closely watched by industry observers and consumers alike.
