PSA: Extended Range Battery can NOT be added / retrofit installed after purchase (confirmed by Slate)

[Saint Alban]

I asked Slate if the extended range battery would be something I could add later… their response:

“At this time, the extended range battery is not something that can be added after purchase. Due to the integration of the battery system into the Slate's chassis and electrical architecture, it needs to be selected during the initial build. “

Unfortunately, it sounds like it’s more than a few bolts.

 

[evtruth]

Will that's a bit of a bummer. Although it does sound like some things are still fluid, so only time will tell.

 

[SichuanHot]

I asked Slate if the extended range battery would be something I could add later… their response:

“At this time, the extended range battery is not something that can be added after purchase. Due to the integration of the battery system into the Slate's chassis and electrical architecture, it needs to be selected during the initial build. “

Unfortunately, it sounds like it’s more than a few bolts.

That's kinda disappointing for those who want to get the cheapest Slate possible and upgrade later. I wonder if that means the factory long range Slate will have a different chassis than the standard Slate to accommodate the bigger battery.

 

[Whitesands]

I'm guessing they probably can't due to mixed health cells causing issues. Kinda like using a mix of alkaline and rechargeable AAs.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

That didn’t surprise me much I think it would be like putting a aaa battery in a aa battery slot something like that or ther way around I should say or there betting people will get the bigger battery where the fleet buys will get the smaller one

 

[cvollers]

That didn’t surprise me much I think it would be like putting a aaa battery in a aa battery slot something like that or ther way around I should say or there betting people will get the bigger battery where the fleet buys will get the smaller one

It’s not about the physical size of the battery. Slate is engineering the frame once around the larger battery size, but the BMS specifically tailored to the battery size being managed. I think Slate will position the battery (regardless of size) to best balance the vehicle weight to optimize handling.

 

[sodamo]

After watching that quick battery change in China can only hope some lessons are taken advantage to benefit Slate, but likely applied to future not current model.
Right now battery choice if my toughest. I can justify going with the Standard as the less range would minimally have minimal effect, but the benefits of thelarger battery as relates to charging etc keep me thinking.

 

[panjak]

That also makes it difficult to upgrade the battery once new technology options (LFP, Sodium-ion) are avalaible. I assumed they will apply same design logic as to interior, making a battery a stand alone unit. BMS can be easily reprogrammed to accommodate different battery types and sizes, it's just designing how to connect battery unit and bolt it to the frame. The Chinese have done it, so it's possible...

 

[TRP]

After watching that quick battery change in China can only hope some lessons are taken advantage to benefit Slate, but likely applied to future not current model.
Right now battery choice if my toughest. I can justify going with the Standard as the less range would minimally have minimal effect, but the benefits of thelarger battery as relates to charging etc keep me thinking.

Would this be your first EV? My suggestion for first timers is go big or go home. Range anxiety can be a killer for some folks

 

[sodamo]

Would this be your first EV? My suggestion for first timers is go big or go home. Range anxiety can be a killer for some folks

Yes my first, BUT…
Living on an island my only long trips would be my 160 mile round trips to Costco about 4 times a year otherwise probably 95% would be less than 50 miles, remainder less than 100. I live completely off grid and would be charging off my solar system. Chances of me driving to Costco and taking a chance on their charger are pretty slim, would just take different vehicle.

 

[TRP]

Yes my first, BUT…
Living on an island my only long trips would be my 160 mile round trips to Costco about 4 times a year otherwise probably 95% would be less than 50 miles, remainder less than 100. I live completely off grid and would be charging off my solar system. Chances of me driving to Costco and taking a chance on their charger are pretty slim, would just take different vehicle.

What brand of charger does the Costco have? You can down load the app and see in real time if it is occupied, functioning or not functioning. Granted all of that could change at any time

 

[sodamo]

What brand of charger does the Costco have? You can down load the app and see in real time if it is occupied, functioning or not functioning. Granted all of that could change at any time

Don’t know for sure, 1x Blnk?
Takes me about 2 hours to get to Costco, always stop for a Coffee in Waimea. So if I check app before leaving that gives availability then, not when I’m there. Not about to wander about town looking either, but that’s just me and very likely situation in 18 months will be different.

 

[cvollers]

Yes my first, BUT…
Living on an island my only long trips would be my 160 mile round trips to Costco about 4 times a year otherwise probably 95% would be less than 50 miles, remainder less than 100. I live completely off grid and would be charging off my solar system. Chances of me driving to Costco and taking a chance on their charger are pretty slim, would just take different vehicle.

Perhaps you missed the posts about Slate not delivering to Hawaii.

 

[sodamo]

Perhaps you missed the posts about Slate not delivering to Hawaii.

Or perhaps you missed my response from Slate?
should Hawaii delivery indeed not be available then I will have to seriously evaluate taking delivery mainland and shipping myself if Slate doesn’t deliver to to a suitable shipper 🤞

Living here, shipping is a major factor in our life. Same day Amazon? Overjoyed if I get within 2 weeks.

 

[theonetruestripes]

Living on an island my only long trips would be my 160 mile round trips to Costco about 4 times a year otherwise probably 95% would be less than 50 miles, remainder less than 100. I live completely off grid and would be charging off my solar system

I don’t know how many chargers the island is going to have, or what ungodly price they will charge you, but since you really only need to get a few more miles out of the deal you will likely be able to use almost any on the way there or back, and for a pretty brief period of time.

I don’t know how SLATE will do it, but most EVs have a nav system that given your desired destination will make a charging plan, and many take into account current usage and weather the chargers have been reported as working or broken. I know SLATE says they won’t have a touch screen at all, but you can mount a phone or tablet, my guess is they will have an app you can use to do the same job, and if not you might be able to use ABRP to do it (ABRP will require you spend like $7/month or something to get real time data on the chargers though). So you ought to know before you set out if Costco’s chargers are _working_ and if whatever charger it originally decided to send you to gets “too busy” it should offer you a new plan with a charger that is less busy.

You shouldn’t need to “hunt” for anything. It should point you right at a parking lot that has working chargers of the right type and aren’t full (except it likely can’t tell if non EVs are parked in front of some of the spots...maybe the slate can off road well enough to go on the grass on the other side and plug in...)