Article: Slate can still undercut Ford's $30,000 EV pickup. Here's how

[KevinRS]

Part of the problem comparing to the hypothetical ford or toyota trucks is if they happen at all, it sounds like they will be a year behind slate, if that. We've heard only what their target starting price may be, and approximate overall sizes. They haven't even officially released a concept rendering, or how big the beds will be, etc. For example the ford is supposed to have a maverick footprint and a mid-sized cab, those feet have to come from somewhere.
I definitely wouldn't be cancelling my reservation before hearing a lot more details.

 

[sodamo]

I think both Ford and Toyota are trolling the Slate fringe.

 

[Dorbiman]

Per this article, Ford's $30K truck will have a battery that's comparable to the Slate Truck's standard battery option. I expect similar range estimates between the Blank Slate and the pickup Ford is cooking up.

 

[AZFox]

I think both Ford and Toyota are trolling the Slate fringe.

Damage Control

 

[KevinRS]

They are at least putting it on the table that they may build a lower cost truck, so if Slate really starts getting traction in the next year and is a hit, they can join in.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Slate will determine what they think the market equilibrium price will be and offer the Truck at or below that price.

By "market equilibrium price" I mean the price where the quantity of Trucks the public is willing to buy is equal to the number of Trucks Slate can produce.

If they price too high (above market equilibrium), they'll end up with surplus Truck inventory to deal with, which costs money and damages the company's reputation.

If the price is below market equilibrium there will be a shortage (quantity demanded will exceed the available supply) and the Truck will be perceived as bargain-priced.

IMHO their risk of pricing too high during the first year of production is much greater than their risk of pricing too low, both in the long term and in the short term.

No matter what, pricing the Truck at this time would be a mistake because the market conditions that will exist at the time of release are not yet knowable.

Which is why Slate is being smart by buying itself Wiggle Room by saying mid-20K that way it doesn't promise something and then needs to backtrack. But I will say anything over $25K will be a hard sell for a base blank slate on the demand side of things. Personally, I'm no expert but I think a sweat spot would be $23K-$24K for standard range and $27K-$28K for a long range blank slate.

The Market currently averages $50K for New Vehicles and $25K for Used Vehicles as well as the Affordable EV Market boom about to swing in at $30K-$35K. Pricing it at exactly $25K is doable but a difficult sell for a Blank Slate since it's not uncommon to find a relatively new used Toyota Tacoma under 100,000 miles at around that price point. At 23K-24K then you start seeing more high mileage pickup trucks which make brand new vehicles more appealing. I've personally made the argument many times that a standard range Blank Slate could be competitive at $25K especially with attractive monthly financing options. But I worry people might not even get that far if they are turned off at $25K for a truck without speakers and manual windows. But if you sell it at $23K/$24K and can get a custom wrap, Bluetooth Speaker + Mount, and maybe power windows for around $25K that's more of an enticing offer to get the person in the door.

For the Long Range Blank Slate I think keeping it under a $30K if possible is important. Don't think there will be large demand at that price point. Then add on it Ford's upcoming ev truck is said to be $30K. Whether Ford hits that price or not remains to be seen. But undercutting their intial promised price by at least 2-3K for the long range slate would be a win. Especially if like how some in the ev enthusiast fan communities predict it has a range around 220. Than the Long Range Slate would have more range for less money than Ford's base option. A long with all the advantage Slate has being direct to consumer sales.

Ultimately like you said it's based on supply and demand for the market conditions at the time of release which are unknowable at this time. This just some of my thoughts on the matter since I have put a lot of thought into this based off of statements slate has made and feedback I've see on various forums and social platforms.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

Per this article, Ford's $30K truck will have a battery that's comparable to the Slate Truck's standard battery option. I expect similar range estimates between the Blank Slate and the pickup Ford is cooking up.

Ford is using LFP batteries which from what I researched are cheaper but less range than the batteries Slate is using. However Slate's body design is prioritizing being wrap friendly, DIY repair friendly, and getting a 5 star crash safety rating. Not necessarily the most efficient design range wise. Ford will likely looking to be optimizing the design of their truck for range more. So it's possible that Ford's truck will have more range. Some people r/electricvehicles think 220 but my gut is feeling like it could be more around 180-200.

 

[Dorbiman]

You could totally be right! I'd be really surprised to see them get 220 miles of range out of a 51 kWh pack. That would be an efficiency of 4.3 mi/kWh, which would be really good for a pickup. R1Ts average in the mid 2's.

I maintain that it'll be in the range of 150-180 miles

 

[AKrietzer]

Ford is using LFP batteries which from what I researched are cheaper but less range than the batteries Slate is using. However Slate's body design is prioritizing being wrap friendly, DIY repair friendly, and getting a 5 star crash safety rating. Not necessarily the most efficient design range wise. Ford will likely looking to be optimizing the design of their truck for range more. So it's possible that Ford's truck will have more range. Some people r/electricvehicles think 220 but my gut is feeling like it could be more around 180-200.

I thought Ford was saying their new EV truck (Ranchero?) had a 300 mile range with a newer style battery smaller than Slate. I guess 2+ years out, they can claim whatever they want.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

I thought Ford was saying their new EV truck (Ranchero?) had a 300 mile range with a newer style battery smaller than Slate. I guess 2+ years out, they can claim whatever they want.

From what I can find Ford hasn't made any statements about range. All they said is that it will be $30,000 and have performance similar to an Ecoboost Mustang.

 

[AKrietzer]

From what I can find Ford hasn't made any statements about range. All they said is that it will be $30,000 and have performance similar to an Ecoboost Mustang.

https://www.webpronews.com/ford-to-launch-30k-midsize-ev-pickup-with-300-mile-range-in-2027/

There is another website I saw a few days ago I am trying to find. I saw it here in this forum site. I think the batteries are called Prismatic LFP. It claimed the batteries are smaller but have a longer range than the ones planned for Slate.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

https://www.webpronews.com/ford-to-launch-30k-midsize-ev-pickup-with-300-mile-range-in-2027/

Thanks this is the first piece of news I found that said anything about range. I do wonder if that's a long range battery option or base option. Since Jim Farley has been saying that Americans need to get more comfortable with smaller, lower range vehicles, for affordability.

 

[AKrietzer]

Thanks this is the first piece of news I found that said anything about range. I do wonder if that's a long range battery option or base option. Since Jim Farley has been saying that Americans need to get more comfortable with smaller, lower range vehicles, for affordability.

Prismatic LFP batteries mentioned. There is another article I read, I am still looking for.
https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us...ctric-vehicle-platform-midsize-electric-truck