License Plates

[KevinRS]

It will vary by state. In California you don't move a plate from car to car, If you sell a car the plate goes with it unless it's special like handicapped, but you just turn the handicapped plate in to the DMV. I've seen trucks with handicapped plates, but I assume they pay truck rate to get them. No special EV plates here.

 

[tgpii]

Also in il ypu have a set of plates. Most states you have one plate.

 

[KevinRS]

Also in il ypu have a set of plates. Most states you have one plate.

California also requires front and rear plates. Looks like it's that way in 29 states + DC, so most states.

 

[Luxrage]

I'm in a two plate state but I'll be happy if they don't pre-drill the plate holes. I'd like to attempt an offset plate-mounting setup like 70s cars had

 

[metroshot]

I'm in a two plate state but I'll be happy if they don't pre-drill the plate holes. I'd like to attempt an offset plate-mounting setup like 70s cars had

California allows for vinyl front plates.
No drilling the front bumper.

Got mine for $110 made from the steel plate.

Only catch is that you have to keep the steel plate in your car and show it to a peace office upon request.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

In Arizona Alternative Fuel Vehicles have a special license plate the conveys a special privilege: ability to drive solo in the HOV lane.

Apparently that''s about to expire.

A provision of federal code [23 USC 166(b)(4)] currently allows alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles, to use high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes regardless of the number of riders. That provision is currently scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2025. If it does, alternative fuel vehicles, including electric vehicles, carrying only a driver would no longer have access to HOV lanes during restricted times.​

Instead of charging extra fees for EVs, Arizona was giving them a break using a special Vehicle License Tax formula. That's ending too.

In accordance with Arizona Revised Statute 28-5805, alternative fuel vehicles are assessed VLT using the same formula used for traditional vehicles. Those vehicles that were initially registered prior to 2023 will keep their current VLT formula until the vehicle ownership changes or the registration is canceled.​

source

What's funny (why later) is it was not optional to have the alternative fuel plate.

When I bought my Tesla in 2023, Tesla told me that was the only plate available but I could go to DMV to get another type. When the plate arrived and I went to DMV to replace with a veteran plate, they wouldn't do it. I tried to do on-line; same results. I had to get an elected official involved to force them to issue me a Veteran plate.

Funny because new Tesla owners went from must have Alternative fuel plates to not allowed to have them.

 

[KevinRS]

What's funny (why later) is it was not optional to have the alternative fuel plate.

When I bought my Tesla in 2023, Tesla told me that was the only plate available but I could go to DMV to get another type. When the plate arrived and I went to DMV to replace with a veteran plate, they wouldn't do it. I tried to do on-line; same results. I had to get an elected official involved to force them to issue me a Veteran plate.

Funny because new Tesla owners went from must have Alternative fuel plates to not allowed to have them.

In California and a lot of other states afaik, instead of special plates, you applied for and got a sticker to put on the bumper.

 

[Luxrage]

California allows for vinyl front plates.
No drilling the front bumper.

Got mine for $110 made from the steel plate.

Only catch is that you have to keep the steel plate in your car and show it to a peace office upon request.

That's brilliant. We're stuck with standard steel plates, but they're the printed flat kind so I might be able to get away with double sided taping it.

An alternate plan would be to build an offset mount through one of the fog-light holes, since those are removable covers and probably has some access to the bumper hardware inside:

 

[cadblu]

Hey everyone, on the subject of License Plates and Registration I thought you would find the following information interesting, and perhaps a bit disturbing. This is regarding the installation of the SUV kit (open air / fast-back / square-back) as it relates to increasing seating capacity from 2 to 5 passengers.

The reason that I bring this up is that I just renewed my registration on one of my vehicles on-line. Not sure how it works in other states, but in my state (New York) you cannot renew a registration to a vehicle that has been modified (see note 3 below). Under electronic signatures you must certify as follows:

Under penalty of law, I Certify:

(1) that the registration information presented is true.

(2) that the registration is not currently under suspension or revocation.

(3) that this vehicle has not been altered or stretched to increase passenger capacity.

(4) FOR VEHICLES ONLY that the vehicle is fully equipped, has been inspected, and will be operated in accordance with the requirements of the Vehicle and Traffic Law; and

(5) FOR VEHICLES ONLY that appropriate insurance coverage is in effect. If this vehicle has a gross weight of over 10,000 lbs. and is used either in a commercial enterprise or to transport hazardous materials, I declare knowledge of Federal and State Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and, if applicable, Hazardous Materials Regulations.

Honestly, I don't think Slate Auto thought of this (I know you can't think of everything) but I hope someone is working behind the scenes to allow registrations of modified Slate trucks. The laws in each state may require that you have your Slate inspected with photos taken each time you modify your truck, before your state will allow you to renew the registration.

What do you guys think?

 

[phidauex]

(3) that this vehicle has not been altered or stretched to increase passenger capacity.

My lawyer brain jumps on the term "altered". I'd say the vehicle is designed and tested as a 5-passenger SUV, so adding the kit isn't an alteration, just a change in trim level. The intent of the law is clearly to prevent people from just bolting some junkyard seats into their cargo van and calling it an SUV, not to prevent owners from utilizing optional features from the manufacturer (such as a potentially optional 3rd-row seat, which is fairly common).

As long as Slate is clear about that in the testing of the vehicle, then I'd think you'd be successful in arguing that the truck is just a 5-passenger SUV with the back seats omitted, not that the SUV is a truck with the seats added (there goes that lawyer brain again).

Now, some states seem to have a different plate for compact pickups and for SUVs, not sure how that will go. But again, I'd probably try to have the least restrictive plate option applied at the beginning to avoid confusion later.

 

[cadblu]

My lawyer brain jumps on the term "altered". I'd say the vehicle is designed and tested as a 5-passenger SUV, so adding the kit isn't an alteration, just a change in trim level. The intent of the law is clearly to prevent people from just bolting some junkyard seats into their cargo van and calling it an SUV, not to prevent owners from utilizing optional features from the manufacturer (such as a potentially optional 3rd-row seat, which is fairly common).

As long as Slate is clear about that in the testing of the vehicle, then I'd think you'd be successful in arguing that the truck is just a 5-passenger SUV with the back seats omitted, not that the SUV is a truck with the seats added (there goes that lawyer brain again).

Now, some states seem to have a different plate for compact pickups and for SUVs, not sure how that will go. But again, I'd probably try to have the least restrictive plate option applied at the beginning to avoid confusion later.

So, does adding the SUV kit become an alteration, modification, upgrade, or simply adding an accessory? And how is this change interpreted in automotive, legal, and regulatory contexts?

I'll let the legal team figure this one out.

 

[phidauex]

So, does adding the SUV kit become an alteration, modification, upgrade, or simply adding an accessory? And how is this change interpreted in automotive, legal, and regulatory contexts?

I'll let the legal team figure this one out.

Quickly reviewing what the van-lifers do in NYS, here is where I was led: https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-a-pick-up-truck-as-a-passenger-class-vehicle

It looks to me that the main factor here is not whether it is registered as a pickup truck, but whether it is registered as a Passenger class vehicle. The Slate is clearly under 6,000 pounds, so as long as it is for non-commercial use and does not bear business advertisements, then it looks like you just register it as Passenger. At that point it doesn't matter whether you add or remove the seats - the vehicle class remains the same.

The issue seems to be trickier for people trying to go the other direction - register a normally Commercial vehicle back into the Passenger class. Not an issue for Slates, but for Sprinters / Promasters / etc.

And to the alteration/modification/upgrade question, if asked in court I'd say that it is just an OEM accessory, no different from adding the factory heated seats or cigarette lighter.

 

[cadblu]

And to the alteration/modification/upgrade question, if asked in court I'd say that it is just an OEM accessory, no different from adding the factory heated seats or cigarette lighter.

I think you’re on to something here. I’ve reviewed the CRRs (codes, rules, and regulations) for NY state. It appears that if vehicle modifications are “reversible” (as it relates to the SUV kit) then it may be exempt from the alteration clause. I’m sure that other states will follow suit.

Putting on my commercial real estate hat, this is analogous to Leasehold Improvements, which must be a permanent part of the building, and its removal would damage the components, the building structure, or both.

I’m sure legal experts have / will be called to weigh in and set policy on the modification aspects as it relates to Slate.

 

[Luxrage]

And to the alteration/modification/upgrade question, if asked in court I'd say that it is just an OEM accessory, no different from adding the factory heated seats or cigarette lighter.

^ This. I believe, if I remember correctly from Ford, this shouldn't be an issue. You could order the first US Transit connects with two seats and add in the rear seats later, effectively making a two seater van a four seater. But since the van has been designed from the factory to have those seats added, it doesn't count as a modification, you're simply putting in OEM parts. You're not modifying the vehicle to do so, as Slate designed these accessories in.

 

[KevinRS]

From the wording, about altered or stretched to increase passenger capacity, I think they are targeting serious modifications, like making stretch limo type vehicles. It's seeming to me that there may have been at least one bad accident in New York that involved a "Stretched" vehicle. A stretched vehicle isn't one that has been crash tested, and likely has a serious weakness to side impacts.