Chevy Volt Style Hybrid Slate Truck

[BGK1986]

I'm very excited about the Blank Slate EV truck and hope the first generation all-electric platform is successful. I would really like to see Slate explore other drivetrain options in future years such as an all-electric AWD/4WD version and a plub-in hybrid version with a small gas or diesel engine similar to the old Chevy Volt concept.

The Slate truck's ample frunk area offers a great opportunity to install the recently announced C15 "suitcase" hybrid unit which consists of an ultra-compact 1.5L four cyclinder engine and ~70kW electric generator in a modular package measuring 19.7 x 21.7 x 10.8 inches that can be mounted vertically, horizontally, or at any angle in between. Horse Powertrain claims this unit will seamlessly interface with a BEV power control system to provide range extension and convert an all-electric BEV into a hybrid vehicle.

Questions for Slate:
1) Will the Slate frunk area accomodate the Horse Powertrain C15 or similar modular hybrid conversion components?
2) Will Slate exploring partnerships with Horse Powertrain (or companies with similar products) to develop a hybrid version of the Slate truck in future years (say 2030 time frame)?
3) Will Slate support customer efforts to install third party components to augment the standard powertrain and battery packs to allow "plug and play" drivetrain customization?

Keep up the great work and thank you for developing a basic, functional, affordable vehicle built in America!

Horse Powertrain Motor Trend Article: https://www.motortrend.com/news/horse-powertrain-shows-off-compact-cool-range-extending-tech
Horse Powertrain YouTube:

 

[Whitesands]

I don't expect Slate to make a hybrid version as that would make them subject to CAFE standards. A lot of people seem to want it in a gas/hybrid version, so I could see some third party mod becoming popular considering how inexpensive the Slate is.

 

[Letas]

I don't expect Slate to make a hybrid version as that would make them subject to CAFE standards. A lot of people seem to want it in a gas/hybrid version, so I could see some third party mod becoming popular considering how inexpensive the Slate is.

CAFE is - for all intents and purposes, dead. There are no penalties for noncompliance.

 

[Thutchis]

I'm very excited about the Blank Slate EV truck and hope the first generation all-electric platform is successful. I would really like to see Slate explore other drivetrain options in future years such as an all-electric AWD/4WD version and a plub-in hybrid version with a small gas or diesel engine similar to the old Chevy Volt concept.

The Slate truck's ample frunk area offers a great opportunity to install the recently announced C15 "suitcase" hybrid unit which consists of an ultra-compact 1.5L four cyclinder engine and ~70kW electric generator in a modular package measuring 19.7 x 21.7 x 10.8 inches that can be mounted vertically, horizontally, or at any angle in between. Horse Powertrain claims this unit will seamlessly interface with a BEV power control system to provide range extension and convert an all-electric BEV into a hybrid vehicle.

Questions for Slate:
1) Will the Slate frunk area accomodate the Horse Powertrain C15 or similar modular hybrid conversion components?
2) Will Slate exploring partnerships with Horse Powertrain (or companies with similar products) to develop a hybrid version of the Slate truck in future years (say 2030 time frame)?
3) Will Slate support customer efforts to install third party components to augment the standard powertrain and battery packs to allow "plug and play" drivetrain customization?

Keep up the great work and thank you for developing a basic, functional, affordable vehicle built in America!

Horse Powertrain Motor Trend Article: https://www.motortrend.com/news/horse-powertrain-shows-off-compact-cool-range-extending-tech
Horse Powertrain YouTube:

How is it cooled?

 

[Dorbiman]

CAFE is - for all intents and purposes, dead. There are no penalties for noncompliance.

For now, right? That's until the next administration comes in and decides to enforce it again. A company that doesn't plan for the future probably doesn't make it very far

 

[E90400K]

This will never happen in a Slate. This unit is far to underpowered. And Slate has no room for a cooling system to cool an ICE nor a necessary fuel storage and delivery system.

 

[E90400K]

CAFE is - for all intents and purposes, dead. There are no penalties for noncompliance.

Which is GREAT! Maybe now the market will drive demand for fuel efficient automobiles at minimum exhaust emissions and we consumers will have more model choices.