Anyone else planning road trip in 150m hops, from factory delivery?

[Cubicle23]

I have started using Google maps to see the logistics of picking up my Slate at the factory. I have never had an EV before. It would be a great EV 101 course to get from there to Northern Maine. I love logistics and planning so this challenge is putting down roots in my brain. As a former long distance bicycle tourist and tour leader , using the established bike routes and facilities would make this fun. The 150 mile comfort range in the Slate is about double the average day on a bike tour so the logistics would work out nicely....Am I alone in this endeavor?

 

[Gozer]

I've heard Indiana has a law against direct sales from the factory.
I do not know how Tesla gets around such laws, but I do not think you can just go to Warsaw and pick up your Slate.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

I wonder if AI could help you plan this?? Cool idea. Given my winter-ish delivery window I'm not sure I'd make this my maiden voyage going from MI to FL. Not mention all the potential road filth if it is, in fact, still snowy in the midwest.

I've heard Indiana has a law against direct sales from the factory.
I do not know how Tesla gets around such laws, but I do not think you can just go to Warsaw and pick up your Slate.

Wasn't this state dependent? And if I recall - it was largely enacted to try and squash Tesla sales.... Don't recall all the details TBH....

 

[PNWEng]

Is picking up from the factory even an option?

 

[FlyHappy]

Is picking up from the factory even an option?

There is never been any indication that this would be any kind of possibility. And it won't, for a lot of fairly obvious reasons. Why so many people keep hanging on to this idea, especially in a misguided belief that they would save some kind of destination fee, is beyond me.

Folks, there's nothing to see in warsaw, indiana.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

Folks, there's nothing to see in warsaw, indiana.

You underestimate my love of corn.

 

[Johnologue]

There is never been any indication that this would be any kind of possibility. And it won't, for a lot of fairly obvious reasons. Why so many people keep hanging on to this idea, especially in a misguided belief that they would save some kind of destination fee, is beyond me.

Folks, there's nothing to see in warsaw, indiana.

I don't think people believe they're escaping the destination fee (sorry to anyone who did), it's just that Slate has no dealerships and they think it's a fun idea, especially as an EV that people have dismissed for modest range.

There are things to see between people's home states and Warsaw, Indiana. On account of it probably being a really long distance.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

There are things to see between people's home states and Warsaw, Indiana.

Absolutely - corn AND soybeans!
And peppers of you're lucky enough to traverse the Carolinas...
(well, I shouldn't say "lucky" given those folks, just like PA, are genetically programmed to drive in the passing lane at 5 under the posted)

 

[FlyHappy]

Absolutely - corn AND soybeans!
And peppers of you're lucky enough to traverse the Carolinas...
(well, I shouldn't say "lucky" given those folks, just like PA, are genetically programmed to drive in the passing lane at 5 under the posted)

I hear ya.

Being a midwest dweller, i too love the maize.

But no, right now warsaw is strictly an assembly operation and won't have capacity to handle retail deliveries.

 

[frogzona]

You underestimate my love of corn.

And my love is basketball.

 

[Shrink36s]

I can't remember where I read it, probably on this forum, maybe elsewhere too, that there would not be any pickup at the factory. That is not an option.
This was discussed HERE

 

[Chucker77]

Try "A Better Route Planner" either in your browser or the phone app. It will let you select the Slate truck and it will calculate the route and add in all the stops you need to make, how long you need to charge for at each and what amenities are nearby. I've planned my route back to Texas as well as to every National Park or Monument within 1000 miles. Loads of fun if you are a planner.
To note the 205 mile option is not currently updated but you can select the 240 and tell it it has a 20% battery degradation which will put you at roughly 205. have fun!

 

[kvermeer]

I have started using Google maps to see the logistics of picking up my Slate at the factory. I have never had an EV before. It would be a great EV 101 course to get from there to Northern Maine.

Do not use Google Maps, take the opportunity to learn to use A Better Route Planner and Plugshare:

These are specifically designed to handle EV road trips. They know where all the chargers are and how fast they are, which ones are in your preferred networks, they'll calculate not just distance but also minor factor in impacts like elevation change, road speed, which adapters you have in your car, the various speeds of all the different DCFC stations, tell you how much you need to charge to for this leg of the trip, and more!

https://abetterrouteplanner.com/?plan_uuid=2-6a5654bc-42535685eadea6aed4248c27

I'd probably set the minimum charge threshold much less aggressively than that for a first trip - you don't want to find out you have a lead foot and should've arrived somewhere with 12% charge remaining but actually ended up 20 miles short in the middle of nowhere - but that gives you an idea of what's possible and what to think about.

You can certainly go back to Google Maps (or even a paper atlas with a ruler and dividers if you add dots for where chargers are located), but that's a massive step backwards in functionality. In particular, the apps will also update with live charger availability and functionality: If all the other Slate buyers in Maine are also making a road trip at the same time and only 1/10 slots are left at the Ionna, you might want to stop early at an upcoming Tesla charger and it will suggest that to you. Or if someone stopped at an EA charger yesterday at 6pm and it didn't work, they'll mark it as out of service in the app and you won't get routed there.

ABRP, Plugshare, the Slate app, and any charge network apps (Tesla, Rivian, EVGo, Electrify America, Chargepoint - discounted charging if you pay a monthly membership fee) will be the way to go!

 

[CorvusCorvax]

As I live on the West Coast, I had an idea about driving from Warsaw to the Pacific. Sadly, because of the laws and the lack of retail facilities for Slate in IN, I am stuck with a local delivery. Far from the origins of my Porsche, which the original owner took factory delivery, drove it around Europe for 6 weeks, then had it shipped to the U.S. from a Baltic seaport. THAT would be an adventure.

But driving from the Midwest, over the Rockies, maybe with a stop in Yellowstone? Can you imagine how much fun that would be? Not as fun as driving an aircooled Porsche around Europe for 6 weeks, but still...

 

[Rocks]

But driving from the Midwest, over the Rockies, maybe with a stop in Yellowstone? Can you imagine how much fun that would be?

Are you a trash can or a trash can't?

Nothing is stopping you now. Even if it means changing your goal from picking up a pickup from the factory pickup point to getting a selfie with the slate sign.