Deep dive article: 70+ Slate prototypes built already -- "Inside the stealth production facility"

[evtruth]

You must think Tesla is a luxury brand still. It’s actually one of the most affordable auto brands out right now, electric or not, which is why they are totally ubiquitous. Slate and Tesla are both vying for urban dwellers, particularly at the lower end of the auto market.

Do you own a Tesla? I do and I never said it was a luxury brand. The gate it gets for "quality" though is way over the top. It's not really much worse than the two dozen other cars I've owned, some of them base models.

What I DID say is that they aren't even going for the same demographic as Slate. Someone buying a $40K+ Tesla for all the tech, range, software, etc. isn't likely going to buy a Slate over a Tesla - it's half the price, half the range, and has almost no tech. They will likely be supplementing their fleet, like I will be doing.

I stand behind my statement: Calling it a "Tesla killer" is ridiculous. Someone isn't likely going to seriously look at a $40K+ Tesla with its giant screen, range, and price and be like "Meh, I think I'll buy the Slate because it's half price and doesn't have a screen." They'd buy a 4 year old Tesla for $20K if that's what they REALLY want. If, and when, Tesla comes out with a $25K EV they can seriously call it that if the want, but I still doubt it will be true.

 

[5ohbrad]

You must think Tesla is a luxury brand still. It’s actually one of the most affordable auto brands out right now, electric or not, which is why they are totally ubiquitous. Slate and Tesla are both vying for urban dwellers, particularly at the lower end of the auto market.

There are plenty of people like me who appreciate the efficiency of an EV but absolutely don’t want to be parked in front of a giant screen. I appreciate what Tesla has done to bring EVs to the masses, but Tesla is not everything to everyone. I don’t need a vehicle that outspecs a Tesla. I need one that undercuts it. Tesla carries the weight and cost of a battery designed to accelerate the car faster than needed for everyday traffic at ranges that I don’t travel for my daily commute. If Tesla represents the lower end of the market, there is a lot of fat that could be cut out to make a more affordable vehicle. That is where Slate comes in.

 

[Daley]

Do you own a Tesla?

Not sure I need to own a Tesla to understand its market. Following that logic, you don’t own a Slate, so what do you know about its market?

What I DID say is that they aren't even going for the same demographic as Slate. Someone buying a $40K+ Tesla for all the tech, range, software, etc. isn't likely going to buy a Slate over a Tesla - it's half the price, half the range, and has almost no tech. They will likely be supplementing their fleet, like I will be doing.

Model 3 is under $35k today. Next year, it’ll be under $30k and cheaper than most Slates.

If you think Slates will be $20k anytime soon, you’re not paying attention to the auto market. Add on the trinkets everyone seems to want on their Slate to make it their own (which is hilarious btw), you’re easily pushing $30k-$35k in a new Slate.

Someone isn't likely going to seriously look at a $40K+ Tesla with its giant screen, range, and price and be like "Meh, I think I'll buy the Slate because it's half price and doesn't have a screen."

Do you think more or less people will have a screen in their Slate? Do you imagine people complaining about too much range?

 

[Daley]

There are plenty of people like me who appreciate the efficiency of an EV but absolutely don’t want to be parked in front of a giant screen. I appreciate what Tesla has done to bring EVs to the masses, but Tesla is not everything to everyone. I don’t need a vehicle that outspecs a Tesla. I need one that undercuts it. Tesla carries the weight and cost of a battery designed to accelerate the car faster than needed for everyday traffic at ranges that I don’t travel for my daily commute. If Tesla represents the lower end of the market, there is a lot of fat that could be cut out to make a more affordable vehicle. That is where Slate comes in.

That’s great. So, the rest of the market pretty much looks at price and aesthetic appeal, then makes a purchase decision. They’re not considering weight unless it’s a detriment, which in this comparison is not the case. Again, you seem to think people want less range and I can’t go there with you because that defies common sense. Similarly, you seem to believe few people will put screens in Slates and I just can’t see that happening. The Slate dash mount will be their top-selling trinket.

 

[cvollers]

Do you own a Tesla? I do and I never said it was a luxury brand. The gate it gets for "quality" though is way over the top. It's not really much worse than the two dozen other cars I've owned, some of them base models.

What I DID say is that they aren't even going for the same demographic as Slate. Someone buying a $40K+ Tesla for all the tech, range, software, etc. isn't likely going to buy a Slate over a Tesla - it's half the price, half the range, and has almost no tech. They will likely be supplementing their fleet, like I will be doing.

I stand behind my statement: Calling it a "Tesla killer" is ridiculous. Someone isn't likely going to seriously look at a $40K+ Tesla with its giant screen, range, and price and be like "Meh, I think I'll buy the Slate because it's half price and doesn't have a screen." They'd buy a 4 year old Tesla for $20K if that's what they REALLY want. If, and when, Tesla comes out with a $25K EV they can seriously call it that if the want, but I still doubt it will be true.

The R2 is a more likely Tesla killer than the Slate. Need one car under $50K that does it all and is an EV…that’s the R2. Need a second (or third) car that is a cheap, reliable commuter or work vehicle…that’s the Slate.

 

[evtruth]

Not sure I need to own a Tesla to understand its market. Following that logic, you don’t own a Slate, so what do you know about its market?

That's not my point. My point was owning one to justify the quality of construction (luxury or not).

Model 3 is under $35k today. Next year, it’ll be under $30k and cheaper than most Slates.

The Model 3 doesn't have a truck bed or a frunk as large as the Slate. The $35K price you're quoting is also RWD, not AWD. It also doesn't have the ease of accessorizing or repairing that the Slate does. Even then, $35K is still almost twice as much as a base Slate.

If you think Slates will be $20k anytime soon, you’re not paying attention to the auto market. Add on the trinkets everyone seems to want on their Slate to make it their own (which is hilarious btw), you’re easily pushing $30k-$35k in a new Slate.

Slate is clearly stating around $20K and they are clearly marketing to that demographic. The $15K price difference may not be much to you or I, but it is for people who have a lower income and/or are looking for something to keep around as a second / third / etc vehicle. It's a significantly lower cost of entry than a Tesla whether (if looking for a new vehicle) the Model 3 they are looking at is $30K or $55K, that's literally at least 50% less cost.

Do you think more or less people will have a screen in their Slate? Do you imagine people complaining about too much range?

Since you're supposed to use the screen to control some of your Slate features, it's likely most people will have a screen in their Slate - their phone. That's not a 15" screen though.

As far as range, obviously nobody is complaining about too much range, but for current EV owners who don't have range anxiety (like myself), we understand that 150 miles of range isn't a big deal, that it's not "too little" for most Americans who drive less than 40 miles per day. It's also not too little to make it between Superchargers if you take your 1x-3x a year vacation, you just spend a bit more time charging. It also means it's a smaller battery so Slate owners aren't paying for range they don't need.

 

[evtruth]

That’s great. So, the rest of the market pretty much looks at price and aesthetic appeal, then makes a purchase decision. They’re not considering weight unless it’s a detriment, which in this comparison is not the case. Again, you seem to think people want less range and I can’t go there with you because that defies common sense. Similarly, you seem to believe few people will put screens in Slates and I just can’t see that happening. The Slate dash mount will be their top-selling trinket.

Again, literally nobody said that people want less range.

We're simply saying with a smaller battery comes less cost and less range. It also means you're not paying for range you don't need if you're using this as a grocery getter or utility vehicle around town and/or the farm. People looking for a low cost EV understand (or should, anyway) they'll have to compromise on things like tech or range. If they want a Slate, they're happy to do that. They're simply not looking for a Tesla.

 

[cvollers]

Again, literally nobody said that people want less range.

We're simply saying with a smaller battery comes less cost and less range. It also means you're not paying for range you don't need if you're using this as a grocery getter or utility vehicle around town and/or the farm. People looking for a low cost EV understand (or should, anyway) they'll have to compromise on things like tech or range. If they want a Slate, they're happy to do that. They're simply not looking for a Tesla.

Or took one Uber ride in the back of a Model 3 and needed to schedule a chiropractor visit afterwards. Simply terrible suspension.

 

[evtruth]

Or took one Uber ride in the back of a Model 3 and needed to schedule a chiropractor visit afterwards. Simply terrible suspension.

That's what I hear about the pre-2024 Model 3s, but I've never experienced it myself.

My Model Ys have all been pretty good, but I'm used to a stiff performance or truck suspension, so that may be why. The ride got even better though when I replaced the stock 21" wheels with 18s and got tires with larger sidewalls.

 

[cvollers]

That's what I hear about the pre-2024 Model 3s, but I've never experienced it myself.

My Model Ys have all been pretty good, but I'm used to a stiff performance or truck suspension, so that may be why. The ride got even better though when I replaced the stock 21" wheels with 18s and got tires with larger sidewalls.

Throttle House boys...always entertaining:

 

[Daley]

Even then, $35K is still almost twice as much as a base Slate.

Ok, let us all know when you pick up your $17k Slate.

it's likely most people will have a screen in their Slate - their phone.

I guess either you’re wrong or I’m wrong, but I‘m sticking with more iPads in Slates than phones because I know humans and human eyeballs that don’t like squinting at 65 MPH.

 

[TexasSlate]

Model 3 is under $35k today. Next year, it’ll be under $30k and cheaper than most Slates.

If you think Slates will be $20k anytime soon, you’re not paying attention to the auto market. Add on the trinkets everyone seems to want on their Slate to make it their own (which is hilarious btw), you’re easily pushing $30k-$35k in a new Slate.

Giant asterisk on the first statement: Model 3 is under $35K today with federal tax credit.

Base price for a Model 3 right now is $42.5K , which is $15k more than the Slate's estimated base, which is 55% higher than Slate's estimated base price.

 

[evtruth]

Ok, let us all know when you pick up your $17k Slate.

Their $20K price target (not $25K) has always been quoted as after tax credit, not before. It would not surprise me if it ends up being $25K after tax credit though, everything seems to just keep going up in price.

 

[cvollers]

Ok, let us all know when you pick up your $17k Slate.



I guess either you’re wrong or I’m wrong, but I‘m sticking with more iPads in Slates than phones because I know humans and human eyeballs that don’t like squinting at 65 MPH.

I get by just fine with just a phone for nav in my FJ...and that phone is an iPhone SE.

 

[E90400K]

That's not my point. My point was owning one to justify the quality of construction (luxury or not).



The Model 3 doesn't have a truck bed or a frunk as large as the Slate. The $35K price you're quoting is also RWD, not AWD. It also doesn't have the ease of accessorizing or repairing that the Slate does. Even then, $35K is still almost twice as much as a base Slate.



Slate is clearly stating around $20K and they are clearly marketing to that demographic. The $15K price difference may not be much to you or I, but it is for people who have a lower income and/or are looking for something to keep around as a second / third / etc vehicle. It's a significantly lower cost of entry than a Tesla whether (if looking for a new vehicle) the Model 3 they are looking at is $30K or $55K, that's literally at least 50% less cost.



Since you're supposed to use the screen to control some of your Slate features, it's likely most people will have a screen in their Slate - their phone. That's not a 15" screen though.

As far as range, obviously nobody is complaining about too much range, but for current EV owners who don't have range anxiety (like myself), we understand that 150 miles of range isn't a big deal, that it's not "too little" for most Americans who drive less than 40 miles per day. It's also not too little to make it between Superchargers if you take your 1x-3x a year vacation, you just spend a bit more time charging. It also means it's a smaller battery so Slate owners aren't paying for range they don't need.

I've always questioned the 40 miles perday number. Google AI states, "the average American driver travels approximately 14,263 miles per year. This is based on data from the Federal Highway Administration."

Divide 14,263 by 365 (39) and that's where the average of "less than 40 miles per day" comes from. But most people don't drive every day. So, I think the number of miles (when a person actually drives) is higher than 40 miles. Maybe 150 miles of charge is not actually adequate based on a lot of people's use cases. And its not really 150 miles, its more like 90 miles (between 20% and 80% SOC). Then its at best 30 minutes to recover just 96 additional miles. Then subtract for weather conditions and ambient temperatures, then the 150-mile spec really isn't that good.