How Long Till Delivery

[atx_ev]

Good Lord...I'll rewrite it...

But it has an EV battery, 1-speed transmission drive unit/differential, electric motor, and charging system. That's just as difficult to manufacture/assemble a vehicle that as an engine, transmission and exhaust system.

Yes, all cars are final-assembled at an assembly plant from parts, components, and subassemblies. Just because its an EV doesn't make the assembly process easier or faster.

An EV motor is not "as difficult" to manufacture as an ice engine.
An ev transmission is not "as difficult" to mfg as an ice transmission
Ev doesnt have an exhaust, but in my tundra there are extra parts and machinery to reduce emissions, such as the secondary air injection pump. replacing both when they rust is a $2500 replacement.

 

[E90400K]

An EV motor is not "as difficult" to manufacture as an ice engine.
An ev transmission is not "as difficult" to mfg as an ice transmission
Ev doesnt have an exhaust, but in my tundra there are extra parts and machinery to reduce emissions, such as the secondary air injection pump. replacing both when they rust is a $2500 replacement.

You are still missing the point. We are talking about the final assembly of the Slate in the Warsaw factory where the battery, its cooling system, and electric rear drive, are installed subassemblies.

 

[NH425]

"How long" can really be an important question when you need a vehicle now. My reservation went in on 4/25 but I see a lot of reservations from that first week. Could I be waiting for another year or more? Thinking about buying a used EV of some kind and then sell it whenever the Slate comes in. Only commute 30 miles roundtrip to work so could even pickup something like an eGolf or Soul EV or MX30. Any recommendations?

 

[Doctors Do Little]

"How long" can really be an important question when you need a vehicle now. My reservation went in on 4/25 but I see a lot of reservations from that first week. Could I be waiting for another year or more? Thinking about buying a used EV of some kind and then sell it whenever the Slate comes in. Only commute 30 miles roundtrip to work so could even pickup something like an eGolf or Soul EV or MX30. Any recommendations?

Would have to presume actual conversion of reservations. Pick up a used Leaf or Model 3 if your wait is real?

 

[KevinRS]

"How long" can really be an important question when you need a vehicle now. My reservation went in on 4/25 but I see a lot of reservations from that first week. Could I be waiting for another year or more? Thinking about buying a used EV of some kind and then sell it whenever the Slate comes in. Only commute 30 miles roundtrip to work so could even pickup something like an eGolf or Soul EV or MX30. Any recommendations?

I am holding off unless I HAVE to get another car before I can get a Slate. My transmission could fail and that would be the case.
After people have had reservation in for over a year, it's a guess as to how many will actually convert and buy a Slate. Some other vehicles have had really low numbers, but Slate is at a much lower price point, as long as nothing changes. Many of those others ended up with significantly higher prices at delivery than planned.
Still, even if Slate delivers as promised, at the planned price, significant numbers of reservation holders will have changed their mind, bought something else, forgot about Slate, etc,

 

[atx_ev]

You are still missing the point. We are talking about the final assembly of the Slate in the Warsaw factory where the battery, its cooling system, and electric rear drive, are installed subassemblies.

It is still much simpler to assemble an EV

This is an AI summary

Even if the engine and transmission are already fully manufactured elsewhere and shipped in as modules, assembling an EV truck is still generally simpler than assembling an ICE truck.


The gap becomes smaller, but it still exists.


An ICE truck final assembly still has to integrate:

• engine
• transmission
• exhaust system
• fuel tank and fuel lines
• emissions hardware
• intake system
• radiator/intercooler plumbing
• engine accessories
• shifting linkage
• many hoses, pumps, belts, brackets, sensors, and fluids

An EV truck typically integrates:

• battery pack
• one or more drive units
• high-voltage cabling
• cooling loops
• power electronics

There are simply fewer systems overall.


A modern EV drive unit is especially compact because:

• the motor,
• inverter,
• and reduction gear

are often combined into one sealed module.


By contrast, an ICE powertrain is multiple large subsystems that all need mechanical, thermal, fuel, and emissions integration.


The EV also avoids:

• exhaust alignment
• catalytic converter installation
• fuel vapor systems
• oil systems
• transmission fluid systems
• engine timing/calibration checks
• emissions certification tuning during assembly

That said, EV assembly does introduce:

• high-voltage safety procedures
• battery installation complexity
• software flashing/calibration
• stricter thermal management integration

But overall, from a factory-floor assembly perspective, EVs are still usually considered mechanically simpler and easier to automate.

 

[E90400K]

It is still much simpler to assemble an EV

This is an AI summary

Sure, AI is ALWAYS correct...

 

[kvermeer]

Would have to presume actual conversion of reservations. Pick up a used Leaf or Model 3 if your wait is real?

I think the Chevy Bolt is the closest thing to a Slate on the market right now. Overly computerized, with OnStar spyware, and a 4-door hatchback rather than a 2-door truck/SUV, but it's close.

Personally, I'm cycling to work (broke down and drove the old rust bucket ICE 12 days this year), and trying to limp my existing cars through until I can get a Slate.

 

[NMNeil]

An EV motor is not "as difficult" to manufacture as an ice engine.
An ev transmission is not "as difficult" to mfg as an ice transmission
Ev doesnt have an exhaust, but in my tundra there are extra parts and machinery to reduce emissions, such as the secondary air injection pump. replacing both when they rust is a $2500 replacement.

Average number of parts in a EV motor and drivetrain; 20 to 40.
Average number of parts in an ICE engine and drivetrain; 200 to 2000.
https://www.alphamotorinc.com/about/ev-vs-ice-fewer-moving-parts-less-maintenance

 

[danielt1263]

Average number of parts in a EV motor and drivetrain; 20 to 40.
Average number of parts in an ICE engine and drivetrain; 200 to 2000.
https://www.alphamotorinc.com/about/ev-vs-ice-fewer-moving-parts-less-maintenance

But as has already been mentioned, Slate will likely receive the motor and drivetrain already assembled just like every other car manufacturer does.
That said, the sheer number of parts to create a Slate (the parts they actually have to assemble) is likely far lower than any other vehicle, even accounting for parts assembled off-site.

 

[NMNeil]

I think the Chevy Bolt is the closest thing to a Slate on the market right now. Overly computerized, with OnStar spyware, and a 4-door hatchback rather than a 2-door truck/SUV, but it's close.

I was also looking at the Bolt and thought OK I'll just decline the On-Star spyware; but there's a problem.
" Note that for battery electric vehicles, even if you decline to enroll in OnStar, GM may still collect, use, or disclose certain data as described in the applicable Owner’s Manual and the U.S. Consumer Privacy Statement."
https://www.onstar.com/legal/user-terms/onstar-services-consent
But where's there's a will, there's a way
https://imgur.com/gallery/step-by-s...bolt-this-is-reversible-not-permanent-n00QKnH

 

[Shrink36s]

I don't know about the Bolt specifically, many of the Chevy/GM cars are fairly easy to pull the OnStar module out. It does not take away OTA via WiFi if you connect to your home WiFi, and WiFi can still be an avenue of security/privacy risk.

 

[kvermeer]

But as has already been mentioned, Slate will likely receive the motor and drivetrain already assembled just like every other car manufacturer does.
That said, the sheer number of parts to create a Slate (the parts they actually have to assemble) is likely far lower than any other vehicle, even accounting for parts assembled off-site.

A coworker recently bought an Audi Q3 Quattro with the ambient light package:

https://www.audi.ie/en/customer-area/explanatory-videos/layer/q3-ambient-light/

There are RGB LED strips *everywhere*. Little seat trims and foot wells and cupholders and door handles and pockets and armrests and places I didn't even know existed have a light, and you can customize the color and brightness of all of them.

Sure, it looks pretty, and no, an individual LED isn't expensive, but all I could think about was the awful ratsnest of wires that must go through every piece of 8-way adjustable seats and door hinges and...ugh. It's going to be an especially expensive Audi to repair in 2033 when the third owner's kid spills a juice box in the RGB cupholder light!

I do not need or want that in a vehicle.

 

[NH425]

Still, even if Slate delivers as promised, at the planned price, significant numbers of reservation holders will have changed their mind, bought something else, forgot about Slate, etc,

Can I quote you on that!?! Selfishly hope that comes true. My gut tells me Slate is going to be "all or nothing" tho. They'll either sell a ton or less than Fiat's 500e.

 

[NH425]

Personally, I'm cycling to work (broke down and drove the old rust bucket ICE 12 days this year), and trying to limp my existing cars through until I can get a Slate.

Impressive. Give you credit. I'm weaker than you. 🙁