Now that the dust has settled...

[zipn]

The issue with the Slate is the same issue with just about every EV. We don't have the charging infrastructure to support convient charging (I live in the deep south, charging outside of the home isn't practical unless you're a glutten for punishment .... and it's not cheaper than gas at public charging). So bottom line, right now, EVs work best as an around-town city vehicle AND the target buyer needs to have access to at-home charging (home owner, renter with dedicated EV outlet, etc).

Now I think there's a huge market for the Slate (and every other EV) as part of a 2-vehicle fleet, but I'd never recommend a pure EV as the best solution for a one-vehicle home.

We're not there yet, but 1-3 years from now, if you have only ONE vehicle and there's access to level-1 or level 2 charging at home, I think the best bet will be E_REVs - All electric (50 -100 mile battery range) with a range extender (I'm partial to Mazda's flying Dorito). The next gen Rouge will be available as a plug in E-REV due out about the same time as the Slate. The Bronco is also on the way with the same configuration. Sure it will cost more than the Slate, but for one-vehicle owners (who happen to have access to local charging) E-REVs will be the next wave.

For us, our 25 Maverick Hybrid AWD is all we need, but still have a reservation for the Slate since it's low cost enough I think I'd like to have a dedicated city car EV without wearing out the Mav (which BTW runs on all-electric mode when it can. The truck does a good job ringing out all the juice it can from the little EV battery. I've been cruising at 40-50 mph under all electric mode as long as there's no hills. The mav identifies as a EV when it can).

 

[bbeverag]

I am hopeful that customizable translates to highly repairable.

 

[HiSlate]

I don't think people understand or cant wrap their minds around that there is only one option which is a bigger battery, what you do after that with more stuff you decide to add on after you buy it is on you.

 

[Letas]

IMO a range extender and pricing ladder is actually a bad thing. If someone configures a Slate only to see it’s $35k they’re going to buy something else. Low 20s makes this successful.

This is actually a really interesting point. The offering of the SUV makes it seem like this is supposed to be a potential one garage car, but like you said. If pricing creeps up, why wouldn’t I just get a R2 or one of the other great SUV options.

Only spot I disagree is the range extender- offering a sub 200 mile range is laughable

 

[ucfknights123]

This is actually a really interesting point. The offering of the SUV makes it seem like this is supposed to be a potential one garage car, but like you said. If pricing creeps up, why wouldn’t I just get a R2 or one of the other great SUV options.

Only spot I disagree is the range extender- offering a sub 200 mile range is laughable

What’s the use case where the average buyer needs 200+ miles of range?

Maybe I’m looking at this as too much of a second car but I can’t see most people needing a ton of range.

 

[Letas]

What’s the use case where the average buyer needs 200+ miles of range?

The way I see it.

150 mile range, but keeping SOC between 20%-80% effectively gives you 90 miles of range. Urban sprawl is leading to longer and longer commute distances. Average American drives ~50mi each day just to work and back.

Slate skimped on the battery coolant, which means that range is even more limited in cold. Only having one trip to work and back on a charge is going to be a mental barrier for many, myself included. Throw in a trip after work to a relatives, and you've depleted the full charge in a day.

Also, most people buying low-priced vehicles do not own multiple vehicles. A 2hr trip should not require a stop to charge on the way.

Going from ~450+ mi of range on a tank of gas, to 1/4 that is a tough hurdle that will prevent significant adoption.

 

[cvollers]

The draw for me is in the looks and price. We haven’t had an economy car look this good in some time. It looks way better than any Maverick. Plus any low cost electric vehicle has a great value proposition when you start looking at cost to operate vs a gas car. Just about all families have two cars so the “second car” market is huge. I think the low range version compliments a larger gas powered vehicle in the garage pretty well. So customization aside, I think the value is there especially when you appreciate a vehicle with good aesthetics.

I agree. The second car market is where this vehicle will shine when that second car is just something low cost (of operation) to get from A to B. The U.S. household average is 1.5 cars and this seems like the perfect “.5” car to me at half the price of an average car.

 

[cvollers]

The issue with the Slate is the same issue with just about every EV. We don't have the charging infrastructure to support convient charging (I live in the deep south, charging outside of the home isn't practical unless you're a glutten for punishment .... and it's not cheaper than gas at public charging). So bottom line, right now, EVs work best as an around-town city vehicle AND the target buyer needs to have access to at-home charging (home owner, renter with dedicated EV outlet, etc).

Now I think there's a huge market for the Slate (and every other EV) as part of a 2-vehicle fleet, but I'd never recommend a pure EV as the best solution for a one-vehicle home.

We're not there yet, but 1-3 years from now, if you have only ONE vehicle and there's access to level-1 or level 2 charging at home, I think the best bet will be E_REVs - All electric (50 -100 mile battery range) with a range extender (I'm partial to Mazda's flying Dorito). The next gen Rouge will be available as a plug in E-REV due out about the same time as the Slate. The Bronco is also on the way with the same configuration. Sure it will cost more than the Slate, but for one-vehicle owners (who happen to have access to local charging) E-REVs will be the next wave.

For us, our 25 Maverick Hybrid AWD is all we need, but still have a reservation for the Slate since it's low cost enough I think I'd like to have a dedicated city car EV without wearing out the Mav (which BTW runs on all-electric mode when it can. The truck does a good job ringing out all the juice it can from the little EV battery. I've been cruising at 40-50 mph under all electric mode as long as there's no hills. The mav identifies as a EV when it can).

Slate did their research. For daily driving around town, the standard range should be fine. It’s meant to be charged overnight at home while the NACS gives access to the Tesla Supercharger network if needed.

 

[GreatLakes]

It's a tough business model to rely on the $7,500 tax rebate being (a) still in existence in 2027, and (b) applicable to wage earners who earn enough to pay $7,500 in income tax (to get it back as a max rebate), and (c) .....

At a $27K price point, the 4-door Maverick hybrid XL is a far better choice.

Responding to (b), I think you misunderstand the tax credit. Since January 2024, it requires no income tax due to have the $7500 credit forgiven. I've had to pay attention to this since I'm retired/collecting Social Security. You do need to have the dealer provide the rebate at point of sale, but most new dealers are doing this now.

This wasn't the case before 2024. Then the $7500 tax credit would only offset what ever Fed taxes you owed.

Regarding the Maverick, it is a gas truck. I made the decision in 2015 to not buy any more new gas vehicles. We've already blown through 1.5C.

 

[ucfknights123]

Also, most people buying low-priced vehicles do not own multiple vehicles. A 2hr trip should not require a stop to charge on the way.

And that’s where I fully disagree. This only works as a fun secondary car.

If you’re lower income and have a max budget of $25k for a primary car you’re buying a Civic over this 99/100 times. Even if EVs get more affordable they’re still luxury items due to all of the constraints.

 

[Letas]

And that’s where I fully disagree. This only works as a fun secondary car.

If you’re lower income and have a max budget of $25k for a primary car you’re buying a Civic over this 99/100 times. Even if EVs get more affordable they’re still luxury items due to all of the constraints.

I feel like “fun secondary car” and “selling enough volume to support an entire company” are unfortunately contradictory.

That’s why I’m struggling to really understand what Slate is trying to do.

The market of people looking for fun secondary cars either
1) want it to serve a specific function (which this somewhat does. Having a bed for when you need it is nice, but no towing capability!)
Or
2) want something that is fun to drive, and they can play with and work on. I don’t think an EV hits that second nearly as well. 92mph top speed? No real tinkering, just swapping parts.

Hopefully I’m wrong.

 

[ucfknights123]

I feel like “fun secondary car” and “selling enough volume to support an entire company” are unfortunately contradictory.

That’s why I’m struggling to really understand what Slate is trying to do.

The market of people looking for fun secondary cars either
1) want it to serve a specific function (which this somewhat does. Having a bed for when you need it is nice, but no towing capability!)
Or
2) want something that is fun to drive, and they can play with and work on. I don’t think an EV hits that second nearly as well. 92mph top speed? No real tinkering, just swapping parts.

Hopefully I’m wrong.

It’d be the same target demo that‘s buying a Moke or golf cart, just slightly different use case.

 

[Letas]

The more I think about it… maybe that’s exactly the business model. Don’t dominate one market group, but offer a low cost option that might work for a wide variety of groups, but most certainly not everyone.

Cast a wide net and hope enough fish fall in to keep the company afloat.

 

[cvollers]

And that’s where I fully disagree. This only works as a fun secondary car.

If you’re lower income and have a max budget of $25k for a primary car you’re buying a Civic over this 99/100 times. Even if EVs get more affordable they’re still luxury items due to all of the constraints.

Bingo…you nailed it.

 

[TRP]

Folks getting hung up on the 150 mile range are experiencing range anxiety. Which is typical for someone going from an ICE vehicle to a BEV. You get hung up on needing to find a "gas station" when in reality you treat this vehicle just like you treat your cell phone. You plug it in every night and wake up to a full charge (or 80/90% if you're concerned about proper battery treatment depending on chemistry).

The point is, 150 or 90 miles is going to be fine for the vast majority of people for a daily driver/work commuter vehicle. I honestly cannot see this vehicle as anything more than that. I wouldn't want to go long distances in it. That short wheel base is gonna be bumpy.

I have a 2021 Mach E with 103,000 miles on it. We lived remotely for most of those miles and a 50 amp charger and max charge set to 90% worked perfectly fine. We had a 150 mile round trip to a decent grocery store or restaurants. Charge to 100% when needed. We drove it all over the eastern US. Just took a little extra planning. Now we live in a city and our house has only a 100 amp service and 1 20 amp outlet in the garage. So, I plug it in to 20amp and set max charge to 80%..............and guess what...it works perfectly fine for city driving. Granted I have a larger battery pack and 80% gets me roughly 200 miles but I never use anywhere near that unless I go out of town. Plug it in when I get home and wake up to 80% again.

Just my opinion but I think folks are way over thinking the total range.