Is the timing of Slate's rollout in Winter 2026 a good decision?

[Dorbiman]

Or... perhaps instead of hiding their flaws, put a real battery in it.

Definitely an option! Just means higher price.

 

[Letas]

Definitely an option! Just means higher price.

Chevy found a way to ship a “mid 20s” EV with an extra 12 KwH… and it comes with a radio!

It means lower margin

 

[Dorbiman]

Chevy found a way to ship a “mid 20s” EV with an extra 12 KwH… and it comes with a radio!

It means lower margin

We all saw how awesome that battery was too

I don't disagree. The standard pack is too small in my opinion. I'll be opting for the larger battery

 

[Letas]

We all saw how awesome that battery was too

I don't disagree. The standard pack is too small in my opinion. I'll be opting for the larger battery

Fair enough! I am starting to think the Slate will be the highest-margin vehicle ever produced. Hoping to be incorrect

 

[brian10x]

Fair enough! I am starting to think the Slate will be the highest-margin vehicle ever produced. Hoping to be incorrect

I think they should reward our loyalty by waiving any margin for the first 100k reservations. treat us like goodwill ambassadors and throw us a bone for our early commitment and loyalty to the brand.

 

[Letas]

I think they should reward our loyalty by waiving any margin for the first 100k reservations. treat us like goodwill ambassadors and throw us a bone for our early commitment and loyalty to the brand.

Their CEO has stated that they plan on turning a profit from the first car off the line...

 

[AZFox]

Their CEO has stated that they plan on turning a profit from the first car off the line...

"Cash-flow positive by the end of 2027" (possibly paraphrasing) is what I saw.

That's impressive.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but cash-flow positive and profitable are not the same thing.

Edit: AI says...

Chris Barman on Slate Cashflow​

​

Chris Barman has stated that Slate Auto expects to be cash-flow positive by the end of 2027.​

​

She explained that the company's approach to reducing overhead costs and building a configuration of one helps drive cost out of the whole operation, making it more efficient.​

​

Barman also mentioned that the company will make money on every car, indicating that profitability is achievable through both the base vehicle and accessory sales.​

​

Additionally, she highlighted that the company's strategy of using pre-fabricated composite parts and avoiding traditional manufacturing processes like stamping and painting allows for lower capital requirements and more efficient operations.​

 

[skidoofast]

Or... perhaps instead of hiding their flaws, put a real battery in it.

Maybe it’s not a flaw… maybe, just maybe it’s a cost benefit ratio

most people don’t drive more than 100 miles a day

so 150 or 240 is plenty even in the cold

if adding 3 more cells cost $5,000 to the end user than 150 - 200 more miles would cost about $10,000 so now it doesn’t fit in their price model

sounds like the same battery is in other manufacturers EVs, are theirs flawed as well?

 

[Letas]

Maybe it’s not a flaw… maybe, just maybe it’s a cost benefit ratio

most people don’t drive more than 100 miles a day

so 150 or 240 is plenty even in the cold

if adding 3 more cells cost $5,000 to the end user than 150 - 200 more miles would cost about $10,000 so now it doesn’t fit in their price model

sounds like the same battery is in other manufacturers EVs, are theirs flawed as well?

There is no EV sold as a consumer vehicle today with a 150 mi range. Batteries are getting cheaper and cheaper- would not cost $10,000.

150 mi * .6 for proper SOC utilization *.7 for cold climate, all the sudden your range is 65 miles.

 

[Letas]

"Cash-flow positive by the end of 2027" (possibly paraphrasing) is what I saw.

That's impressive.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but cash-flow positive and profitable are not the same thing.

Edit: AI says...

Chris Barman on Slate Cashflow​

​

Chris Barman has stated that Slate Auto expects to be cash-flow positive by the end of 2027.​

​

She explained that the company's approach to reducing overhead costs and building a configuration of one helps drive cost out of the whole operation, making it more efficient.​

​

Barman also mentioned that the company will make money on every car, indicating that profitability is achievable through both the base vehicle and accessory sales.​

​

Additionally, she highlighted that the company's strategy of using pre-fabricated composite parts and avoiding traditional manufacturing processes like stamping and painting allows for lower capital requirements and more efficient operations.​

https://sherwood.news/tech/slate-el...t-less-than-an-average-used-car-even-without/

"We expect to make money on each vehicle,” he said. "

This is either blind optimism, or a strong understanding that their cost per vehicle will be very low- much lower than they maybe are leading on.

Startups do not go cash-flow positive in their first year of sales.

 

[Dorbiman]

There is no EV sold as a consumer vehicle today with a 150 mi range. Batteries are getting cheaper and cheaper- would not cost $10,000.

150 mi * .6 for proper SOC utilization *.7 for cold climate, all the sudden your range is 65 miles.

The 2025 Leaf has a 149 mile range. As does the Fiat 500e.

 

[brian10x]

The 2025 Leaf has a 149 mile range. As does the Fiat 500e.

True, but I can't haul plywood in those cars.

 

[Trace26]

Chevy found a way to ship a “mid 20s” EV with an extra 12 KwH… and it comes with a radio!

It means lower margin

Actually negative margins, Chevy was losing money on the bolts they sold.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/30/gm-chevy-bolt-ev-loss-before-zev-credit/

 

[brian10x]

Actually negative margins, Chevy was loosing money on the bolts they sold.
https://electrek.co/2016/11/30/gm-chevy-bolt-ev-loss-before-zev-credit/

LOSING. Forum spelling NAZI on duty.

 

[Trace26]

LOSING. Forum spelling NAZI on duty.

I promise it was the auto-correct 😂