Extended battery price? Another clue... "less than SUV kit"

[sodamo]

The big question in my mind are these 2 very distinct boxes or same box with different number of modules and other changes.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Would that mean that if the range of your Slate isn't enough for your needs can you just add another module or 2?

Slate representatives have clarified that the battery cannot be changed to the larger one once the truck is built at the factory.

 

[sodamo]

Slate representatives have clarified that the battery cannot be changed to the larger one once the truck is built at the factory.

True, hopefully come 6/24 we’ll know why

 

[EV Trek]

I don't remember where this discussion took place, but I thought the phrasing was closer to "it will be much easier to make your battery decision", which I took to mean that the first production run will be 100% 1 battery size, whichever it is.

Well since on the 24th they will give you a delivery window, how could they estimate that if they don’t know who or how many wants which battery?

 

[Kopsis]

Tesla would sell a customer a large battery for the cost of the smaller battery. They'd software limit battery capacity to what you paid for. And Tesla granted that customer the OPTION of unlocking the full capacity at a later date for the same differential they would have paid in the first place.

In the early days of EVs when range anxiety was a major barrier to adoption for some, this was actually quite beneficial for customers. If you weren't 100% sure what to get, you could buy the standard range with no risk. If you drove it for a while and figured out it didn't quite cut it, you could upgrade to extended range by simply paying for it. No need to trade in on a different model or pay a bunch of labor for a physical battery upgrade.

 

[Kopsis]

Slate representatives have clarified that the battery cannot be changed to the larger one once the truck is built at the factory.

I believe they have said that the battery can't be "converted" to the larger one (the modules are not plug-and-play -- they have to be assembled into the pack at time of manufacture. As far as I know, no one has said that you can't drop the entire standard range battery and replace it with an extended range -- though the cost would be vastly higher than just buying the extended range in the first place.

 

[sodamo]

Slate representatives have clarified that the battery cannot be changed to the larger one once the truck is built at the factory.

If AI is to be believed, the reason is kinda like old lead acid batteries, cannot mix old and new. Just to clarify, talking about the NMC chemistry and BMS Slate has mentioned, 5 vs 8 SK ON pouches.

 

[KevinRS]

If as at least 1 article has said the standard battery is LFP, then much of this about adding to it to make it the long range is negated completely.

 

[NowThatsDamp]

Batteries will not be upgradable beyond the factory floor.

Really? That's a huge bummer. So much for "Serviceable" and "Customizable" and "Modular".

 

[NowThatsDamp]

If AI is to be believed, the reason is kinda like old lead acid batteries, cannot mix old and new.

I don't think AI is to be believed because that doesn't make any technical sense.

 

[EV Trek]

Really? That's a huge bummer. So much for "Serviceable" and "Customizable" and "Modular".

You should know it takes specialized equipment to swap batteries not to mention either replacing or reprogramming the BMS.

 

[NowThatsDamp]

You should know it takes specialized equipment to swap batteries not to mention either replacing or reprogramming the BMS.

XD I know these manufactures are silly. It's just a bummer to hear that Slate is going down that road despite advertising themselves as the antidote. Although maybe what they mean is that you can't splice in a couple more modules to turn your standard pack into an extended range, which obviously. But if they are saying that the pack cannot be swapped in the field, which sure is what "Batteries will not be upgradable beyond the factory floor" sounds like, than that is extremely anti right to repair.

 

[DT444T]

If AI is to be believed

It isn't.

 

[KevinRS]

XD I know these manufactures are silly. It's just a bummer to hear that Slate is going down that road despite advertising themselves as the antidote. Although maybe what they mean is that you can't splice in a couple more modules to turn your standard pack into an extended range, which obviously. But if they are saying that the pack cannot be swapped in the field, which sure is what "Batteries will not be upgradable beyond the factory floor" sounds like, than that is extremely anti right to repair.

Pretty sure they were actually meaning upgrading an existing pack to add range. Not replacing a pack. Replacing a pack would also be expensive enough that they don't anticipate selling them just to increase range. Defect or damage replacement, sure.

 

[EV Trek]

XD I know these manufactures are silly. It's just a bummer to hear that Slate is going down that road despite advertising themselves as the antidote. Although maybe what they mean is that you can't splice in a couple more modules to turn your standard pack into an extended range, which obviously. But if they are saying that the pack cannot be swapped in the field, which sure is what "Batteries will not be upgradable beyond the factory floor" sounds like, than that is extremely anti right to repair.

Unless you are specifically trained in the high voltage systems Slate would be putting themselves in legal jeopardy to allow just anyone to work with the battery packs. Just one person get electrocuted and no more Slate.
I am sure that swapping out Battery packs or adding modules for more range does not fall into the repair category anyway.