I think I am “over The Slate”

[thommeigh]

I get where you're coming from. At this point, many of us have had a deposit on this truck for close to a year now. I've had moments where I start to worry about buying from a brand new start-up, or about the smaller battery capacity or final cost or rear-wheel drive... but without fail, then I stumble upon something new on here, or a new video on YouTube, and I'm all-in on Slate all over again. Maybe I'm too fickle, but like others have said, I see no problem letting Slate keep sitting on my $50 reservation fee. It's not sh!t-or-get-off-the-pot time quite yet!

 

[zipn]

Unless you need a pickup form factor with limitations (RWD and 1000 lbs towing), the value propisition of the SLATE as a low cost entry level, no bullcrap EV is getting skuttled but the current and growing number of low milage, still-in-warranty (especially the Kia/Hyundais) EVs that are coming off of lease. The market will be flooded around the same time the Slate starts production. I wish them luck, but like you, the simple low-cost EV angle has been lost by Slate.

If I was slate, I wouldn't even bother with the smaller battery. Just keep it simple and standardize on the larger pack. Sure 150 miles should be enough for almost anyone, but you know sometimes you go to work, go the the grocery, need to go to the Costco 20 miles away making a 30-40 mile daily drive near 150. Don't want to cut that too close in an EV if you can avoid it.

I also wish them luck, and I'm sure they'll sell a good number for those wanting the pickup truck layout (but not a full-on pickup).

 

[E90400K]

As a potential pickup buyer, I can see the struggle with the value of the Slate SUV. Its price quickly gets out of hand and starts to into better equipped options from established manufacturers. A new Leaf is $30k and gets 300 miles of range, a Kia EV3 is $35k and gets 270. This is also assuming you're not going to cross shop one of the lightly used EVs that are about to flood the market this year. TBH this is my current plan for when my Rivian's lease is up: a lightly used Mini Cooper SE and my 3rd Ridgeline.

The Slate pickup is still in a niche of its own since it's so small, and nobody offers a small EV pickup - or even a gas pickup that size anymore. Ford's EV truck offering will definitely take some wind out of Slate's sails, though it will still be bigger.

Still, unless you need to buy today, there's little reason to give up your reservation now. The interest on $50 is less than $2 a year. I held a Silverado EV reservation since launch, and I just refunded it after the dealer called and said I had to come into the dealership to place my order.

I will say even with all my concern over the wrapping issue, one big attribute I like about the slate is the molded-in color plastic body for durability. I'd prefer Slate offering a few different base MIC colors because I do not believe based on my engineering education and further research it would not add much cost amortized over the entire annual production*.

I do think Slate should increase the tow rating by 1,500 pounds. I think the Truck is underrated in the towing department. My 1987 Ranger STX with the 140-horse 2.9L V6 could tow 4,500 pounds.

*If I were the new CEO suit-dude, I'd post a pole on this website that gave us members a choice of a 5-color palate to consider what other colors than gray would be preferable to the customer.

 

[beatle]

To be fair, tow ratings prior to 2008 and the SAE J2807 standard were kind of pulled out of the air. Under the SAE J2807 standard, I wouldn't tow more than 2000-2500 lbs with the Ranger. That's still much higher than the Slate's rating which is probably held back by its frame more than anything else. The Slate will have more power and torque than the ol' Cologne V6, not to mention better brakes, modern ABS, and traction control. I think the Slate could realistically tow a couple thousand pounds across town, especially over secondary streets. Your range will be so short to discourage much highway travel anyway.

 

[KevinRS]

If you are looking to go direct to the SUV kit with Slate, yes you may be getting into the range of other EVs. We will know more about if that is true in summer.
You can think of it as you get what you pay for.
In my case, I don't need to pay for 4 seats. I should be able to save money with an EV, and trading those extra seats for a bed I can haul a few sheets of plywood and some lumber in sounds great.
My choices for radio stations to listen to have objectively declined even in just the past year, so my interest in putting in one is limited, I'll try using a bluetooth speaker first.
I don't NEED the extended battery, the longest trip I even occasionally make would only need around 5 minutes of charging somewhere mid-trip with the standard battery, and I don't see that as a problem, I can take a lunch break and be back to a full charge.

I will say even with all my concern over the wrapping issue, one big attribute I like about the slate is the molded-in color plastic body for durability. I'd prefer Slate offering a few different base MIC colors because I do not believe based on my engineering education and further research it would not add much cost amortized over the entire annual production*.

I do think Slate should increase the tow rating by 1,500 pounds. I think the Truck is underrated in the towing department. My 1987 Ranger STX with the 140-horse 2.9L V6 could tow 4,500 pounds.

*If I were the new CEO suit-dude, I'd post a pole on this website that gave us members a choice of a 5-color palate to consider what other colors than gray would be preferable to the customer.

If you are comparing towing to an 80s truck, you have to ask, could that truck tow that quoted load up the Davis Dam grade at speed, in 104 degree weather, with the AC on max? There are also tests starting from a stop there and accelerating to a certain speed a number of times in a time limit. Current trucks have to pass those tests to claim a tow rating. Also with EVs, towing has the disadvantage of reduced range. There are lots of videos about it.
If the Slate was technically capable of towing 1,500 lbs more, but range dropped in half while towing, would that even work for you?
Most would be unhappy with a 75 mile range towing with the standard or 120 on extended battery, so Slate from the design stage went with a lower target towing capacity. That may have also saved as much as a few thousand in the retail price.

 

[cadblu]

I saw a co-worker plug his Bolt into a regular 110v-15a outlet at work, and I asked him about how he charges. He said he just commutes with it, so he plugs it when he gets to work, and that's enough. "And again when you get home?" I asked. "No, just at work," he smiled.

Yep. Seen this at work all the time, EV owners asking me to approve plugging in to the company's outdoor power outlets. Why pay for it at home when it's free to charge at work?

Often, they didn't even ask for approval. Entitlement.

 

[GaRailroader]

On the research I’ve done on the SAE J2807, it appears all this testing is to determine a GCWR (gross combination weight rating). If that is the case then it would seem that Slate is under selling its towing performance. If someone wants to tow and, they don’t have a need for the 1400 pound payload, then what would be the difference in treating it as a zero pound payload and 2400 pound trailer capacity? Total weight would be the same. Without trailer brakes the vehicle is still stopping the same total weight.

Also, in some of the Slate documentation it seems to imply that range was a consideration in towing capacity. Most people are just using these for around town so if they tow a 2000 pound trailer and have to recharge at 80 miles I think that is a trade off they need to understand and Slate shouldn’t make towing capacity more restrictive for any reasons other than meeting the spec.

 

[E90400K]

If you are looking to go direct to the SUV kit with Slate, yes you may be getting into the range of other EVs. We will know more about if that is true in summer.
You can think of it as you get what you pay for.
In my case, I don't need to pay for 4 seats. I should be able to save money with an EV, and trading those extra seats for a bed I can haul a few sheets of plywood and some lumber in sounds great.
My choices for radio stations to listen to have objectively declined even in just the past year, so my interest in putting in one is limited, I'll try using a bluetooth speaker first.
I don't NEED the extended battery, the longest trip I even occasionally make would only need around 5 minutes of charging somewhere mid-trip with the standard battery, and I don't see that as a problem, I can take a lunch break and be back to a full charge.


If you are comparing towing to an 80s truck, you have to ask, could that truck tow that quoted load up the Davis Dam grade at speed, in 104 degree weather, with the AC on max? There are also tests starting from a stop there and accelerating to a certain speed a number of times in a time limit. Current trucks have to pass those tests to claim a tow rating. Also with EVs, towing has the disadvantage of reduced range. There are lots of videos about it.
If the Slate was technically capable of towing 1,500 lbs more, but range dropped in half while towing, would that even work for you?
Most would be unhappy with a 75 mile range towing with the standard or 120 on extended battery, so Slate from the design stage went with a lower target towing capacity. That may have also saved as much as a few thousand in the retail price.

Yeah, I get the SAE towing test incorporates the Davis Dam thing, but I'm sure Ford, in 1987, didn't just randomly rate the 4x4 Ranger STX at 4,500 pounds towing using engineering and testing prtocols. I'd bet a 1987 Ranger STX could tow 4,500 pounds up Davis Dam road in 1987 without issue.

Just because the SAE adopted a test regiment for towing in the 1990s (or whenever it was) it doesn't mean trucks prior to that date couldn't tow their weight ratings.

If the Slate is tow limited due to range depletion because it is an EV, then that stands for itself.

 

[sodamo]

As far as I observed the ONLY $$$ change to Slate since reveal is the $7500 some expected others to pay. There have been no firm prices on anything Slate, and only a few suggested . But apparently some think using that as their rationale is OK rather than admit they envisioned a totally tricked out Slate at the subsidized price. It has always been Blank Slate, plus, plus, plus whatever you wanted to add.

 

[bloo]

Teutonic arrogance, I suppose.

The kind the starts two world wars - and loses them both.

 

[bloo]

Baloney.

Equinox EV can be had for lower to mid thirty thousands. Go ICEV and the small SUV segment has lots of models that can be bought new for just over $30K and are very well equipped.

Want a mid-sized pickup, extended cab Frontiers and Tacomas can be bought new for $33K. You can get a white Nissan S-trim Frontier for just over $30K. Local dealership to me has 8 in stock and keeps at least that stock level all the time.

Slate's issue is its subsidized price was worth the no-content approach. At $30K with the big battery, it's not so good of a choice.

I don't want a midsize truck; I want a compact one.

 

[KevinRS]

Yeah, I get the SAE towing test incorporates the Davis Dam thing, but I'm sure Ford, in 1987, didn't just randomly rate the 4x4 Ranger STX at 4,500 pounds towing using engineering and testing prtocols. I'd bet a 1987 Ranger STX could tow 4,500 pounds up Davis Dam road in 1987 without issue.

Just because the SAE adopted a test regiment for towing in the 1990s (or whenever it was) it doesn't mean trucks prior to that date couldn't tow their weight ratings.

If the Slate is tow limited due to range depletion because it is an EV, then that stands for itself.

There were cars built and sold in the US at that same time that with 2 adults and 2 children would struggle up milder grades, towing nothing, and AC off.

 

[E90400K]

There were cars built and sold in the US at that same time that with 2 adults and 2 children would struggle up milder grades, towing nothing, and AC off.

Been there and done it, repeatedly.

 

[Susan]

I don't want a midsize truck; I want a compact one.

And I don't want one "equipped" with things I really have no interest in or use for. I have a cell phone and mp3 players, for music, with some good sounding speakers of my own choice. Plus I have a GPS for directions. Back doors are a waste of space too. I'm never bringing extra passengers. Back doors and seats take away room I need to stow my gear and are very aggravating when I'm trying to pack, or even pick up some gardening supplies.

Some people probably need "fully equipped" cars, but I don't feel I'm alone in wanting something simpler. Glad Slate heard us.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

The more threads I read and the more I think about it, the more I feel I’m over the Slate.

dark star, I see this as very healthy. Now you can view the Slate truck with eyes not clouded by emotion.

Looking forward to further updates on your thoughts here.