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

[OldGoat]

Guaranteed that some first time EV cold weather buyers will freak at range loss no matter what you tell them in advance. To this day, on the Mach E forum, there are post after post from newbies not yet used to the range loss once the sub 30 degree temps lock in. (is my battery defective? is the car getting ready to explode?) However, Slate should simply go down their reservation list in the order they came in and deliver to those that still want the truck no matter where they live. Forget warm weather state roll out-that would be very unfair. Like giving cuts in line at the ice cream wagon.

 

[brian10x]

Hmm that is a interesting question since at least I my state I’m pretty sure all over though that all the car companies do big advertising for holiday deals I guess it would depend on the actual month I know where I live some do seasonal deal spring saving,summer deal bash, fall saving and holiday specials are some of the slogans I don’t think it’s a bad idea since it would need to some out ether way. I actually think it might be a very beneficial idea since they could lean on the holiday buyer market since a lot of people would be looking (mainly parents) for there kids first car it’s ether they get it on there birth day or a major holiday making it special for the would be driver lol I think to much some times

PUNCTUATION. PLEASE.

Forum grammer NAZI. On duty.

EITHER. THEIR.

Forum spelling NAZI. On duty.

 

[Dorbiman]

Guaranteed that some first time EV cold weather buyers will freak at range loss no matter what you tell them in advance. To this day, on the Mach E forum, there are post after post from newbies not yet used to the range loss once the sub 30 degree temps lock in. (is my battery defective? is the car getting ready to explode?) However, Slate should simply go down their reservation list in the order they came in and deliver to those that still want the truck no matter where they live. Forget warm weather state roll out-that would be very unfair. Like giving cuts in line at the ice cream wagon.

I agree. This is still a teething issue. Once EVs become the norm, people won't be shocked anymore. The only downside I see is that people who don't do their research will not understand the cold weather effects, and wish they'd purchased the 84kWh pack instead. Buyer's Remorse sucks.

 

[brian10x]

I agree. This is still a teething issue. Once EVs become the norm, people won't be shocked anymore. The only downside I see is that people who don't do their research will not understand the cold weather effects, and wish they'd purchased the 84kWh pack instead. Buyer's Remorse sucks.

The hardest thing for me is going to be PLANNING recharge stops on longer road trips. Driving for (counting fingers and toes) for 52 years gets one used to worry-free gasoline fill-ups. If I'm at 1/4 tank or less, I just look for a gas station and five minutes later I'm good.

The only times I actually plan my range are prior to desert exploration outings. Then its full tank, food, water, flat repair kit, battery jump box, ammunition.

I may have to adjust my mindset for the new reality.

 

[Dorbiman]

The hardest thing for me is going to be PLANNING recharge stops on longer road trips. Driving for (counting fingers and toes) for 52 years gets one used to worry-free gasoline fill-ups. If I'm at 1/4 tank or less, I just look for a gas station and five minutes later I'm good.

The only times I actually plan my range are prior to desert exploration outings. Then its full tank, food, water, flat repair kit, battery jump box, ammunition.

I may have to adjust my mindset for the new reality.

Agreed. It'll only get better too, with Walmart & Ionna throwing their hats in the ring.

 

[Letas]

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/

$145/kwh on that pack! Wow! Bad business.....

 

[Paul Rodgers]

So, you'd rather wait until summer 2027, then when winter 2027 rolls around and all those new EV Slate owners go "Oh shit!" when mid October comes?

Get the pain over with up front.

VERY good point here, if something is wrong, figure it out early, before you have 100,000 battery recalls

I want my slate in central FL, we do not really have a "winter"
But I have lived in NJ, upstate NY, Switzerland, (and England) so I do know what snow means
Lets see a slate (with snow tires) beat a 12" snowdrift, 10% uphill, in freezing weather?
Maverick would have no problem.

THEN, you northerners can buy one, with confidence.
Until then, put me, and all us southerners, first in the list!
I dont do cold any more.

On the other hand?
Donate a couple of "trial production units" to the crew that keep Mt-Washington alive, in the winter.
If they can do that? GOOD TO GO!

 

[Letas]

VERY good point here, if something is wrong, figure it out early, before you have 100,000 battery recalls

I want my slate in central FL, we do not really have a "winter"
But I have lived in NJ, upstate NY, Switzerland, (and England) so I do know what snow means
Lets see a slate (with snow tires) beat a 12" snowdrift, 10% uphill, in freezing weather?
Maverick would have no problem.

THEN, you northerners can buy one, with confidence.
Until then, put me, and all us southerners, first in the list!
I dont do cold any more.

On the other hand?
Donate a couple of "trial production units" to the crew that keep Mt-Washington alive, in the winter.
If they can do that? GOOD TO GO!

Ha! I think the Mt Washington crew would love a couple Slates.... to drive to and from work maybe.

They wouldn't touch a RWD truck with a 10 ft pole

 

[sodamo]

PUNCTUATION. PLEASE.

Forum grammer NAZI. On duty.

EITHER. THEIR.

Forum spelling NAZI. On duty.

You can read this? I make about 2 lines and head hurts. Figure his ego must be more important than the message.

 

[KevinRS]

With it likely being winter at launch, and dealerless, I can see them arranging deliveries around the weather. If your area has a snowstorm, they don't send a batch of trucks to your area, they go to the next on the list. I think the disclaimers when reserving cover this, along with they will want to be sending full truckloads to each delivery point, so even if you were one of the first reservations in the first hours, if few in your area reserved, you may have to wait.
That would actually be a reason you have a benefit of telling friends and family about it, more local reservations means more likely a quicker and more local pickup of the truck.

 

[skidoofast]

With it likely being winter at launch, and dealerless, I can see them arranging deliveries around the weather. If your area has a snowstorm, they don't send a batch of trucks to your area, they go to the next on the list. I think the disclaimers when reserving cover this, along with they will want to be sending full truckloads to each delivery point, so even if you were one of the first reservations in the first hours, if few in your area reserved, you may have to wait.
That would actually be a reason you have a benefit of telling friends and family about it, more local reservations means more likely a quicker and more local pickup of the truck.

That would be a great way to piss off a bunch of your most loyal supporters, the ones that gave your dream a path to life

my snowy money is not good enough? Who gives a crap, weather happens, their job is to sell the car, I’m here with money and and early adopter, just because your late to the party and live somewhere warmer shouldn’t make your purchase jump line

 

[SichuanHot]

Perhaps Slate is banking on the deep pockets in the California and Florida states to take the gamble and purchase their truck first. Winter in those two areas won't really make much of a difference.

 

[sodamo]

I’m hoping Slate honors the integrity of the Reservation list and allows us to determine delivery location at time of conversion. As I really don’t expect they will have Hawaii delivery in place at that time I would have to factor in where to get delivery and then factor in Hawaii shipping. Long Beach may be it, but maybe not.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I’m hoping Slate honors the integrity of the Reservation list and allows us to determine delivery location at time of conversion. As I really don’t expect they will have Hawaii delivery in place at that time I would have to factor in where to get delivery and then factor in Hawaii shipping. Long Beach may be it, but maybe not.

I’m completely ignorant of shipping cars to the islands. What’s the most popular port of departure?

 

[sodamo]

I’m completely ignorant of shipping cars to the islands. What’s the most popular port of departure?

I’d have to check, but there are several. Pretty sure all mine have been Long Beach, CA. Two major lines, Matson and Pasha. Strangely, Matson announced suspension of shipping EV and PHEV to/from Hawaii due to battery fire concerns.

WHERE can Matson ship my car/truck?

• Hawaii ports: Honolulu (Sand Island), Kahului, Nawiliwili, Hilo
• U.S. Mainland ports: Oakland, Long Beach
• Alaska ports: Anchorage, Kodiak, Dutch Harbor
• Guam/Micronesia ports: Guam, Saipan, Yap, Republic of Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, Majuro, Ebeye, Kwajalein