Slate announces Tesla supercharger access + 4,000 service / repair shops RepairPal partnership!

[Letas]

To me, this seems like Slate is just trying to go as hands off as possible while checking a box. You're concerned about local service, buying D2C? Look, we have TONS of local service centers!



I can't imagine there is going to be a high level of training or familiarity from all 4000 centers. Slate will surely provide them some info, but if you're the first and only time they see a Slate truck, how competent will they really be? This seems to be a mild step up from a google maps search for "repair shops near me", if that.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

I'm assuming the earlier post about BEVs never breaking was sarcasm or humor. Anybody who follows BEVs knows they can be a maintenance nightmare. They can also be maintenance dreams. But if you get the one that is a nightmare, watch out.

Also, you get the road debris incident that punctures the battery pack and requires a full replacement because the dent was out of spec and is not covered by warranty (see Motormouth for that story). Cooling system failures (batteries are actively cooled). 12V battery issues. BEVs are not simple just because they have fewer moving parts. They have just as many parts that can fail. That 600 part number Slate throws around is absolute BS, because the pack itsellf has hundreds of cells and connectors, etc - each one a failure point.

BTW, the same is true of ICE. They are amazingly reliable things in this century, compared to what they were in my youth (many a cold moment spraying into a carburetor to get started in the cold, etc).

Anybody who thinks BEVs don't have issues is divorced from reality. Anybody who thinks a BEV from a brand new OEM with zero experience in BEVs is going to be maintenance heaven - that person is setting themselves up for serious disappointment.

I truly hate being the Debbie Downer on the site, because I'm a huge Slate fan. But there sure are a lot of optimists whistling past the graveyard here.

 

[sodamo]

Just MHO, Slate will institute a training/certification program based on Slate University. Online type instruction, available references, and a testing/certification upon completion. Possibly at different levels and the list of Certified shops/individuals available. Great opportunity for the local shops.

 

[Driven5]

I'm assuming the earlier post about BEVs never breaking was sarcasm...

Don't mind him. He's still just salty about this:

https://www.adac.de/rund-ums-fahrzeug/unfall-schaden-panne/adac-pannenstatistik/

" The current figures confirm the tendency that electric cars are more reliable than combustion engines. "

 

[Letas]

Just MHO, Slate will institute a training/certification program based on Slate University. Online type instruction, available references, and a testing/certification upon completion. Possibly at different levels and the list of Certified shops/individuals available. Great opportunity for the local shops.

I learned how to work on cars, the same way my daddy did. Online trainings.

Seems to be a recipe for success.

 

[KevinRS]

Whoa there cowboys! Here in the motor city shops have to have certified mechanics before they will even touch your car. True, a steering knuckle is rather standard across brands, but the specialized components of an EV will require a service tech with the knowledge AND access to the manufactures service documents, parts, etc. Slate specific; None of this will be started until the final production model is built. Slate recently mentioned looking at alternate battery suppliers now that the incentives are gone. So until then, no one will be certified. Slate said they will try to use "off the shelf parts". So, do we know who the motor will be manufactured by? This is all early in the game and I am glad to see they are thinking about it. Just because an app pulls up a bunch of shops does not mean they will all service Slates or do upgrades. I have a thousand questions about Slate and what it can and/or can not do...will I be able to get a V2L or V2G module, a cab pass thru to the bed, etc.? Sadly I fear we will not get all of these answers for a year. If lucky.

Outside of powertrain work, you wouldn't be touching anything that wouldn't be on an ICE vehicle, so most "Normal maintenance and upgrades" just about any shop should be able to do.
Would you expect any random shop you pick to be able to rebuild your engine or transmission in house? At this point they can't even do an engine swap without dealing with the dealer to try to get the ECU to work with the swapped engine. Actually I had that issue with a car built 25 years ago.
On V2L or V2G, it's possible they will offer something for low powered loads, but the truck just doesn't come with a huge battery, it doesn't make much sense to try to run your house or power hungry tools off of it.

 

[sodamo]

Outside of powertrain work, you wouldn't be touching anything that wouldn't be on an ICE vehicle, so most "Normal maintenance and upgrades" just about any shop should be able to do.
Would you expect any random shop you pick to be able to rebuild your engine or transmission in house? At this point they can't even do an engine swap without dealing with the dealer to try to get the ECU to work with the swapped engine. Actually I had that issue with a car built 25 years ago.
On V2L or V2G, it's possible they will offer something for low powered loads, but the truck just doesn't come with a huge battery, it doesn't make much sense to try to run your house or power hungry tools off of it.

V2L in May
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...er-tools-appliances-w-your-slate-truck.13062/

 

[KevinRS]

V2L in May
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...er-tools-appliances-w-your-slate-truck.13062/

Yeah, but there's a whole range of V2L classes possible, 12v out and multiple USB outs may be standard, an inverter for AC out for tools and appliances etc seems likely even if it's an add on, but I'd expect limited amps/watts otherwise you may drain the battery too fast to make sense as a use case.
Powering your house in an outage is a whole different level, that's probably going to stay restricted to larger vehicles with larger batteries.
We have planned an installation of 42.3 kwh of batteries, at no cost to us, that we will own after 6 years, for load shifting and backup.

 

[cadblu]

I’m just planning to DIY everything I can to avoid dealing with the RepairPal network. Since everything is engineered to be mistake proofed in a sequential build, I think it’s low risk proposition as long as you diligently follow procedures per Slate University.

 

[sodamo]

Really looking forward to seeing Slate University to start rolling out. Expect it will be a great way to get to know my Slate.

 

[WT_Door]

V2L in May
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/t...er-tools-appliances-w-your-slate-truck.13062/

I saw this, and brought it up with a rep at a Slate to State event in Denver - he was clear in walking back the idea that it would be available. This was an August 1st event. He implied technical challenges in offering the capability.
I'm still very interested in this, and will be watching for Slate updates, as well as DIY ideas. Ideally I'd like 120v receptacle(s), but may be interested in 12v instead (I wonder how using the 12v battery for V2L will work).
I saw a Youtube video from State of Charge, using a device from RoamEnergy designed for Tesla (and plugging into the NACS receptacle). An interesting and capable device, but it is $1300 (!!!), and ONLY for Tesla's (and only CCS equipped Teslas at that - pre 2021 models won't work).

 

[sodamo]

Thanks for the update.
TBH, i have 120v, 200watts on my Tundra. Used 1 time. Think my Ridgeline had and never used.

i do hope for 12v access.

 

[E90400K]

I'm assuming the earlier post about BEVs never breaking was sarcasm or humor. Anybody who follows BEVs knows they can be a maintenance nightmare. They can also be maintenance dreams. But if you get the one that is a nightmare, watch out.

Also, you get the road debris incident that punctures the battery pack and requires a full replacement because the dent was out of spec and is not covered by warranty (see Motormouth for that story). Cooling system failures (batteries are actively cooled). 12V battery issues. BEVs are not simple just because they have fewer moving parts. They have just as many parts that can fail. That 600 part number Slate throws around is absolute BS, because the pack itsellf has hundreds of cells and connectors, etc - each one a failure point.

BTW, the same is true of ICE. They are amazingly reliable things in this century, compared to what they were in my youth (many a cold moment spraying into a carburetor to get started in the cold, etc).

Anybody who thinks BEVs don't have issues is divorced from reality. Anybody who thinks a BEV from a brand new OEM with zero experience in BEVs is going to be maintenance heaven - that person is setting themselves up for serious disappointment.

I truly hate being the Debbie Downer on the site, because I'm a huge Slate fan. But there sure are a lot of optimists whistling past the graveyard here.

It was both sarcastic and intended to be humorous. You and I are on the same page. Perhaps we both understand the mathematical construct of mean time between failure.

We are 11 months from full rate production according to Slate's schedule. Yet, just weeks ago published is the CEO discussing a change in battery components suppliers. Based on my professional experience, I find such stories amusing, which raises my skepticism meter.

 

[Doug T]

It was both sarcastic and intended to be humorous. You and I are on the same page. Perhaps we both understand the mathematical construct of mean time between failure.

We are 11 months from full rate production according to Slate's schedule. Yet, just weeks ago published is the CEO discussing a change in battery components suppliers. Based on my professional experience, I find such stories amusing, which raises my skepticism meter.

My take was that the battery supplier comment was a negotiation tactic with SK On.

 

[E90400K]

My take was that the battery supplier comment was a negotiation tactic with SK On.

Possibly, but then why make it public. It makes no sense and is a lose-lose situation. The way I see it there really is no negotiation leverage on Slate's part because of the tight schedule and production tooling is set (or should be set). If SK On says pound sand on a price reduction, sit looks bad on her. If she then has to switch suppliers to lower the Truck MSRP, she delays the schedule it looks bad on her. If it's just a BS tactic and seen as such, she it looks bad on her. If I'm Slate's other suppliers, I take a different posture with dealing with the company.