Is the timing of Slate's rollout in Winter 2026 a good decision?

[sodamo]

I’m hoping Slate honors the integrity of the Reservation list and allows us to determine delivery location at time of conversion. As I really don’t expect they will have Hawaii delivery in place at that time I would have to factor in where to get delivery and then factor in Hawaii shipping. Long Beach may be it, but maybe not.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I’m hoping Slate honors the integrity of the Reservation list and allows us to determine delivery location at time of conversion. As I really don’t expect they will have Hawaii delivery in place at that time I would have to factor in where to get delivery and then factor in Hawaii shipping. Long Beach may be it, but maybe not.

I’m completely ignorant of shipping cars to the islands. What’s the most popular port of departure?

 

[sodamo]

I’m completely ignorant of shipping cars to the islands. What’s the most popular port of departure?

I’d have to check, but there are several. Pretty sure all mine have been Long Beach, CA. Two major lines, Matson and Pasha. Strangely, Matson announced suspension of shipping EV and PHEV to/from Hawaii due to battery fire concerns.

WHERE can Matson ship my car/truck?

• Hawaii ports: Honolulu (Sand Island), Kahului, Nawiliwili, Hilo
• U.S. Mainland ports: Oakland, Long Beach
• Alaska ports: Anchorage, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor
• Guam/Micronesia ports: Guam, Saipan, Yap, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Majuro, Ebeye, Kwajalein

 

[KevinRS]

That would be a great way to piss off a bunch of your most loyal supporters, the ones that gave your dream a path to life

my snowy money is not good enough? Who gives a crap, weather happens, their job is to sell the car, I’m here with money and and early adopter, just because your late to the party and live somewhere warmer shouldn’t make your purchase jump line

Did you read the terms when you made your reservation?

5. Order Process and Delivery.
As Slate approaches the start of production, you will be invited to place an order for your Truck based upon reservation date and a number of other factors. To complete the purchase of your Truck, you will need to execute Slate’s standard purchase agreement which will have additional terms and conditions. Further details about the order and purchase process will be provided when you are invited to place your order and are subject to change. Your priority for the delivery of your Truck will be set, in part, by the date you place your order, the date you execute final sales documentation, Slate’s manufacturing schedule, and the location and method selected for delivery. Any estimated delivery time frames provided are non-binding, for informational purposes only, and are subject to change. If you choose to purchase a Truck, your Reservation Fee will be applied towards the purchase price.

My interpretation of this, before I even made my reservation, was that we are accepting that delivery date depends not only on when we reserved, but slate's convenience on the location. If there is a snowstorm going through part of the country, they won't send semis of trucks that way until it passes and the roads are clear.
They might make early deliveries to locations close to manufacturing, and they might send early deliveries to places with large numbers ordered, just for shipping efficiency.
I am hopeful that they were conservative with "Late 2026" and they will beat that, and be shipping in large numbers by the end of the year. They wouldn't even really be outside that if they started shipping in July.

 

[sodamo]

Did you read the terms when you made your reservation?



My interpretation of this, before I even made my reservation, was that we are accepting that delivery date depends not only on when we reserved, but slate's convenience on the location. If there is a snowstorm going through part of the country, they won't send semis of trucks that way until it passes and the roads are clear.
They might make early deliveries to locations close to manufacturing, and they might send early deliveries to places with large numbers ordered, just for shipping efficiency.
I am hopeful that they were conservative with "Late 2026" and they will beat that, and be shipping in large numbers by the end of the year. They wouldn't even really be outside that if they started shipping in July.

In other words LOTS of wiggle room.
But earlier 2026 than later 🤙🤙

 

[skidoofast]

Did you read the terms when you made your reservation?



My interpretation of this, before I even made my reservation, was that we are accepting that delivery date depends not only on when we reserved, but slate's convenience on the location. If there is a snowstorm going through part of the country, they won't send semis of trucks that way until it passes and the roads are clear.
They might make early deliveries to locations close to manufacturing, and they might send early deliveries to places with large numbers ordered, just for shipping efficiency.
I am hopeful that they were conservative with "Late 2026" and they will beat that, and be shipping in large numbers by the end of the year. They wouldn't even really be outside that if they started shipping in July.

sounds like you don't know what a snow storm is, in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana we can have a snowstorm at 9am, by 9am the next day the roads are clear, sun is shining and you barely knew it happened, doesn't disrupt life for more than 12 hours usually so i highly doubt it will disrupt a shipping schedule

I did read the terms when i reserved, here's what i got out of it - we will be shipping full semi trucks to pickup locations near you so we will be grouping orders by location

 

[AL-Derby]

Agree with cadblu, ship to the south first.
No winter battery or charging issues here in central FL.

But winter-2026? As I recall promise was earlier.
Seems to me they are saying "we will ship in the 2027 model year", forget 2026.

Historicaly the next year model is released in October. there are some that have been released as early as July. So if the start delivering in October it will be called a 2027 not a fourth quarter 2026.

 

[KevinRS]

OK, by snowstorm, I meant more blizzard.
Have they stated a model year? the terms say they expect to start shipping late 2026, and that is it.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

In other words LOTS of wiggle room.
But earlier 2026 than later 🤙🤙

You gonna fly over to IN and take delivery, David? Tell the truth...