Engineering deep dive: Slate EV truck chassis, body, battery, safety, suspension, underbody undercarriage

[metroshot]

I don't care if the battery is 400 or 800v.
I just want to access Tesla Superchargers where I normally charge my Mach E.
With such a small battery, it should be enough time to get a coffee or bathroom trip.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

Based on the specs I've seen this is very, very optimistic. (my guestimate being that's near 1k pounds based on ~ 65# for a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" MDF)

It may fit, but I don't see the suspension dealing with it, nor do I see it moving this material safely for more than a few blocks.

Am I wrong?

 

[cvollers]

Based on the specs I've seen this is very, very optimistic. (my guestimate being that's near 1k pounds based on ~ 65# for a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" MDF)

It may fit, but I don't see the suspension dealing with it, nor do I see it moving this material safely for more than a few blocks.

Am I wrong?

The quoted load rating is 1400 pounds.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

The quoted load rating is 1400 pounds.

Ah, OK.

So with me@ 240# that would be right on the edge.

 

[metroshot]

Based on the specs I've seen this is very, very optimistic. (my guestimate being that's near 1k pounds based on ~ 65# for a 4x8 sheet of 3/4" MDF)

It may fit, but I don't see the suspension dealing with it, nor do I see it moving this material safely for more than a few blocks.

Am I wrong?

EVs are amazing - as long as the load is not taller than the cab height, it will get almost the same range due to aerodynamics.

When I had the Ford Lightning EV, it would haul half ton weights in the bed without any issue.

 

[Roy]

Would it be an accurate guess to say the Slate will have regen braking. That seems to be a basic part of a viable EV.

 

[Chadsfantasygarage]

I like your image but think it’s a little too long for what Slate might do. I doubt the bed will get longer than what they have now so the C pillar will have the same relationship to the rear door as the current B pillar does to the front door.

I'm not sure exactly what you are saying about length, but if you keep the 5 foot bed from the current slate AND add rear doors you actually end up with something even longer then my previous green render. My render below is what a quad cab slate WITH a 5 foot bed would look like.

 

[metroshot]

Would it be an accurate guess to say the Slate will have regen braking. That seems to be a basic part of a viable EV.

Yes, makes sense for EV and PHEV to have that.

I just hope Slate does not do what Tesla did - 1PD only.

I prefer 2PD with light regen while coasting - like my Mach E.

 

[Roy]

I’m not sure who has put-up this forum. I hope it is somebody from Slate. And forgive me if these questions have been answered on the Slate Auto page or someplace in all of the product announcement presentations.

What type and kind of regen braking does the Slate have?

Will there be a plug or a wire access point for trailer/towing lights?

Does Slate have a list of receiver hitches which will fit the Slate?

Besides the accessory external spare wheel mount, where does the spare reside in the base
vehicle, and is it a full size tire and rim?

What size is the wheel bolt pattern?

What on the Slate will not be DIY for repair and rebuild?

Has Slate gotten any estimates, from a knowledgeable insurance industry underwriter, as to the expected insurance coverage rate?

Besides the announced Slate University, for the gear head DIY crowd, will Slate provide a repair/maintenance procedure manual which can be printed out?

For the camping/hiking/cycling crowd, will there be a plug or adapter port for a solar panel to charge off-grid or for camp lights and a fridge, or what ever?

Is Slate actively recruiting possible independent shops for warranty repair work?

How would an interested independent shop start the process to be a vendor?


If this is the wrong place to ask all of these questions, let me know and I will move it.

 

[cvollers]

I'm not sure exactly what you are saying about length, but if you keep the 5 foot bed from the current slate AND add rear doors you actually end up with something even longer then my previous green render. My render below is what a quad cab slate WITH a 5 foot bed would look like.

Ahhhh…ok my bad. I think just a slightly longer version of v1. No truck bed but an open (with roll bar) or enclosed rear section and those four doors. Oh and a lift. Keep the lift gate and add the spare tire rear bumper mount. Like a poor man’s version of the ROX Toyota built for SEMA.

 

[lgerger]

t any fresh BEV at this point should be nothing less than 800V.

In my view, 400V was likely chosen due to reduced cost (a major selling point of this vehicle), and more readily available parts. I personally think that was the right decision from a company perspective. I don't like the thicker and heavier cables, and less efficient charging of 400V, but that's not what this brand is aiming for (at least in their first iteration).

 

[lgerger]

I just hope Slate does not do what Tesla did - 1PD only.

My guess is Slate will keep one standard for regen.