I think I am “over The Slate”

[cadblu]

… Nor do they seem to understand where the "value" of the Slate is; Safety and battery temperature management are where the $$$ goes….

Agreed, but we need to ask if the perceived value of the Slate would be diminished if they don’t achieve the 5 star crash ratings in all categories?

Also keep in mind it’s entirely possible that the test results won’t be available at launch. As in the case of the 2021 Maverick, crash test results were “not available” until late 2022. And it only received 4 stars out of 5.

 

[KevinRS]

How long does it take to get those test results?
My understanding is the first vehicle off the line once they do some internal testing to be sure everything on the line works would be going to those crash test certifications, the next ones would be going to events, with test drives, and other promotion. That puts the testing starting in Summer. They have also crash tested a bunch of prototypes, after doing a lot of simulation in the design phase.

 

[SichuanHot]

A Slate will not be for everyone. Dark Star seems to have thought this through. In reading the posts in there forums I see many who do not get the concept of the DIY Slate. Nor do they seem to understand where the "value" of the Slate is; Safety and battery temperature management are where the $$$ goes. I look forward to setting up my Slate with what I consider to be essentials. Battery size remains the biggest issue based on my 8 years of Tesla experience. I could limp along with the small battery ( 150 mi = 120 @ 80% charge or 110 after a year...<100 in 7 years) but the 240 mile battery would give it much longer term value. I still look forward to my Slate, but I am being clear eyed about what I am getting. Still I have questions about what electrical "hookups" will be available...this is an area that Slate is not really clear on. (This is something I know I can work around, but if Slate's business model is DIY and after market, then this is critical information.)

You mention that Slate's value is in its DIYability, but to which extent is also not clear. There's nothing about Slate University or the things end users can actually DIY. When the price ends up being close to a fully kitted out competitor's EV, the value proposition vanishes.

 

[zipn]

Any discussion of SLATE vs competition when it finally goes into production should also consider how the competition will react. If the SLATE becomes a hit, all the competition has to do is drop their product prices on their low-end EVs to predatory levels, capturing those looking for the SLATE as a low-cost entry level EV (as opposed to those wanting the 2-door pickup form factor) and they'll clobber SLATE before it gets a chance to turn a profit. SLATE may have to contend with cutthroat pricing competition that they won't be able to absorb, where the competition can sell some models at a loss as long as they have others filling their pots.

Next year is going to be interesting.

 

[Oddballhero]

I want to love the slate so bad and am still planing on waiting but it is hard to then it has no standard features ( radio power windows) not having the extended battery as the standard and no AWD. These few things would make it a no brainer for me especially if you got that for about 25k. I want to customize it my self and do the DIY work to it as well, but power windows and radio cmon

I agree. getting a lot more for the exact same price would be awesome. Too bad no car company has figured that out yet.

 

[Oddballhero]

This is probably an unpopular opinion, but I feel like the SUV kit is little more than a parlor trick. It makes for a cool demo that gets press coverage, but Slate's biggest selling point it offers something that's been abandoned in the US - a small pickup.

As soon as you give up the pickup form-factor, you have a $30k-ish short-range, barebones, 2-door SUV. There may be a few people that appeals to, but it feels like a niche within a niche.

I share the opinion. I lived through the era of 2 door SUVs, and getting in and out was . . .not good.

 

[IamSpotted]

Any discussion of SLATE vs competition when it finally goes into production should also consider how the competition will react. If the SLATE becomes a hit, all the competition has to do is drop their product prices on their low-end EVs to predatory levels, capturing those looking for the SLATE as a low-cost entry level EV (as opposed to those wanting the 2-door pickup form factor) and they'll clobber SLATE before it gets a chance to turn a profit. SLATE may have to contend with cutthroat pricing competition that they won't be able to absorb, where the competition can sell some models at a loss as long as they have others filling their pots.

Next year is going to be interesting.

I'm curious what EV trucks you and others are talking about that this competes against? I can't think of a single EV truck under 40k new. Is it competing against other less expensive EV cars and SUVs? Maybe, but someone who is looking for a truck isn't cross-shopping with SUVs and sedans. And if that person is keen on a cheap truck, the options are few. Cheap and Compact? Nearly non-existent if you want something made in the last 15-20 years.

I personally like the idea of a cheap compact truck. Is the Maverick cheap? Sure, it can be. Is the Maverick compact? Not really. Is the Slate cheap? That remains to be seen, but if it truly is mid-20s then yes. Is the Slate compact? Yes.

I see the slate filling the niche of a compact truck that nobody else seems to care about anymore. The range of the base battery isn't the greatest if you drive a lot or can't charge at home. Honestly, if Ford or GM made an ICE truck that was about the same size, I'd seriously consider that over the Slate. As it stands now though, I'll stick with the Slate for my truck needs when it comes out.

 

[Saint Alban]

… and the cost of hiring a licensed electrician to install a proper charging setup in my garage.

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this but the Slate comes with a charging cable to at is capable of level 2 charging. You’d just need a 240v outlet. Yes, you’d have to pay to have one installed if you don’t have it already, I just often see posts in other social media making charging an EV seem like a complicated task to do at home

 

[Oddballhero]

I don’t know if anyone mentioned this but the Slate comes with a charging cable to at is capable of level 2 charging. You’d just need a 240v outlet. Yes, you’d have to pay to have one installed if you don’t have it already, I just often see posts in other social media making charging an EV seem like a complicated task to do at home

Oh man, as much as I have been looking into this thing, I missed that. I knew it came with a cord for level 1, but I just looked at the Charging section of the website, and it says level 2 included. That's amazing. I'm all set.

 

[AZFox]

I see the slate filling the niche of a compact truck that nobody else seems to care about anymore a lot of people would care to own, but has been held out of reach as an available choice for reasons other than consumer preference.

FTFY

The moment I saw a photo in an article about the Reveal Event I thought to myself "An affordable basic compact pickup! Its about time. How do I get one one of those?"

 

[sodamo]

I'm curious what EV trucks you and others are talking about that this competes against? I can't think of a single EV truck under 40k new. Is it competing against other less expensive EV cars and SUVs? Maybe, but someone who is looking for a truck isn't cross-shopping with SUVs and sedans. And if that person is keen on a cheap truck, the options are few. Cheap and Compact? Nearly non-existent if you want something made in the last 15-20 years.

I personally like the idea of a cheap compact truck. Is the Maverick cheap? Sure, it can be. Is the Maverick compact? Not really. Is the Slate cheap? That remains to be seen, but if it truly is mid-20s then yes. Is the Slate compact? Yes.

I see the slate filling the niche of a compact truck that nobody else seems to care about anymore. The range of the base battery isn't the greatest if you drive a lot or can't charge at home. Honestly, if Ford or GM made an ICE truck that was about the same size, I'd seriously consider that over the Slate. As it stands now though, I'll stick with the Slate for my truck needs when it comes out.

I agree. Just seems that a significant number of people just won’t accept the Slate as low cost, 2 door, EV, small truck and feel compelled to compare against vehicles that are larger, more costly, 4 door, iCE, or non trucks. Apples and oranges, shouldn’t be hard to comprehend.
Slate is small, not a Lightning, Silverado, Maverick etc
Slate is projected mid $20’sK, not 30, 40, 60 etc. Taxes and fees will apply regardless.
Slate is 2 door not 4 door.
Slate is a pickup truck, not a SUV, Crossover etc, if you are adding SUV kit than although it is still a pu at heart it is no longer a mid $20k.

 

[IamSpotted]

FTFY

The moment I saw a photo in an article about the Reveal Event I thought to myself "An affordable basic compact pickup! Its about time. How do I get one one of those?"

Nobody else was poor wording on my part, what I meant by nobody else was the manufacturers, not necessarily us as the consumer

 

[Kopsis]

Ford is pushing ahead they are going to have a low 30k mini truck at least that is what they say

Is that the same Ford that was going to have a sub-$40k BEV F150 (a.k.a. Lightning)? How did that work out?

 

[AZFox]

Nobody else was poor wording on my part, what I meant by nobody else was the manufacturers, not necessarily us as the consumer

Gotcha. 👍

IMHO it's pretty obvious that Small Pickup disappearance has been a lack-of-supply problem not due to lack of demand.

Same with 2-door vs 4-door, where extended cab is the sweet spot.

Extended cab Slate would be a wonderful choice to have, for one thing because dog(s) could ride behind the seats when there's a passenger.

 

[zipn]

I'm curious what EV trucks you and others are talking about that this competes against? I can't think of a single EV truck under 40k new. Is it competing against other less expensive EV cars and SUVs? Maybe, but someone who is looking for a truck isn't cross-shopping with SUVs and sedans. And if that person is keen on a cheap truck, the options are few. Cheap and Compact? Nearly non-existent if you want something made in the last 15-20 years.

I personally like the idea of a cheap compact truck. Is the Maverick cheap? Sure, it can be. Is the Maverick compact? Not really. Is the Slate cheap? That remains to be seen, but if it truly is mid-20s then yes. Is the Slate compact? Yes.

I see the slate filling the niche of a compact truck that nobody else seems to care about anymore. The range of the base battery isn't the greatest if you drive a lot or can't charge at home. Honestly, if Ford or GM made an ICE truck that was about the same size, I'd seriously consider that over the Slate. As it stands now though, I'll stick with the Slate for my truck needs when it comes out.

I don;'t disagree but there's some that want a truck style just for the open bed utility, but other truck buyers may be looking for more truck functionality (> 1,000 lb towing, AWD). My fear for Slate is the market for just a small 2-door trucklet with limited functionality is actually pretty small.

I'm only 1 data point, but my interest in the SLATE is based on it being an easy-to-own, simple, low cost EV that seats 2 people. The open bed/ truck format isn't important to me but it's acceptable. (I'd probably add a cover or topper to it).

If you don't need the open bed, and are open to the idea of a SUV/hatchback/sedan - then there are going to be many more options, and they'll undoubtedly have more features, more range, and more doors than a similarly kitted out SLATE.

Maybe SLATE will surprise us by under-promising and over-delivering a great, completive ride for the mid 20s. We'll see.