Miles per battery charge

[dark star]

Besides the much higher real-world price than the original pitch, I’m starting to question how practical the Slate will be for a lot of people—especially folks like me.
Between the end of the $7,500 EV rebate, the $5,000 SUV kit, the unknown cost of the larger-range battery (plus whatever other “must-haves” I’d end up adding), that “just under $20K” promise is starting to feel more like a concept car than an actual price.
I’m in a rural area, so longer drives for basic errands (like groceries) are normal, and we get real winters. What kind of real-world range should we expect with heat running in winter and A/C in summer? I like the idea of a practical, inexpensive EV for local chores, but not if I have to treat the climate controls like they’re a luxury upgrade.
Also, I don’t really want a pickup—I want an SUV. I want a normal stereo, heat and A/C, and I’d really prefer AWD where I live. Slate is RWD, and I’m also rethinking the wisdom of buying a first-gen vehicle from a brand-new company and factory.
I’m not cancelling my reservation, but I’ll admit I’m pretty disappointed as the details roll out. Reality vs. wish isn’t the same thing—especially once the calculator comes out.

 

[E90400K]

Get an Equinox EV for $35K. Available now at your local Chevy dealer and meets all your requirements. 300+ miles of EPA range.

 

[dark star]

✔

 

[RedJoker]

I’m not cancelling my reservation, but I’ll admit I’m pretty disappointed as the details roll out. Reality vs. wish isn’t the same thing—especially once the calculator comes out.

I think a lot of people feel that way. Slate has been very open from the beginning but I think people saw $20k and then kind of ignored everything else that was being said. Like you said, reality vs what we wish for.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

OP, TBH, it seems like you're best off with a lightly used BEV from a major OEM. Or one of several low cost new BEVs.

Right now, used BEVs are widely acclaimed as the biggest steal in the auto industry. We're talking 50% depreciation in three years for some great vehicles. And really, with GM's discounts, you can buy a 300-mile range new Equinox for right around $30K-ish (and the dealer is probably discounting that). GM has $10,000 discounts on some Equinox trims. Or a Leaf today (very limited supply) also $30K - with a $26K version coming. And all those options have around 250 miles range and usually an 8 year battery warranty (to 80% or so).

By the time the Slate ships in volume, the low cost competition will only have increased. That's why I don't get too excited about all this. What we see in Feb 2026 and what we see in Feb 2027 - very different landscapes.

I gotta be honest. If I didn't have two not-too-old reliable vehicles in my driveway right now, I'd personally get out there and grab an amazing deal on a warrantied, low mileage, used BEV. If I were gonna buy new, I think it would be a Leaf. The BEV market just keeps getting better by the day (for us buyers, not the sellers).

 

[AKrietzer]

Besides the much higher real-world price than the original pitch, I’m starting to question how practical the Slate will be for a lot of people—especially folks like me.
Between the end of the $7,500 EV rebate, the $5,000 SUV kit, the unknown cost of the larger-range battery (plus whatever other “must-haves” I’d end up adding), that “just under $20K” promise is starting to feel more like a concept car than an actual price.
I’m in a rural area, so longer drives for basic errands (like groceries) are normal, and we get real winters. What kind of real-world range should we expect with heat running in winter and A/C in summer? I like the idea of a practical, inexpensive EV for local chores, but not if I have to treat the climate controls like they’re a luxury upgrade.
Also, I don’t really want a pickup—I want an SUV. I want a normal stereo, heat and A/C, and I’d really prefer AWD where I live. Slate is RWD, and I’m also rethinking the wisdom of buying a first-gen vehicle from a brand-new company and factory.
I’m not cancelling my reservation, but I’ll admit I’m pretty disappointed as the details roll out. Reality vs. wish isn’t the same thing—especially once the calculator comes out.

The heat or AC has to be used to maintain a certain temperature range on the battery, so even if you don't heat or cool the cab, it is still going to be running and using more of the battery. I think some people guessed the larger battery may be in the $3,000 - $3,500 range. You can always add the SUV kit later.

 

[KevinRS]

Start with looking at how far you need to drive, and ask from there. For regular errands you likely don't want to charge at the destination, so just how long is the round trip?

Also, how real are those winters? Getting some snow is one thing, 40 below is another. Range will also depend if you started out charged up and warmed up.

 

[dark star]

Start with looking at how far you need to drive, and ask from there. For regular errands you likely don't want to charge at the destination, so just how long is the round trip?

Also, how real are those winters? Getting some snow is one thing, 40 below is another. Range will also depend if you started out charged up and warmed up.

This winter was rougher than usual—we only just this week got above freezing for the first time in three weeks. Most nights were near zero, and daytime temps were mostly in the teens.
I’ve also got relatives in Arizona with EVs, and they say the moment they turn on the A/C, their range drops noticeably.
Range isn’t my biggest worry, but I do think the Slate’s range is pretty underwhelming. It would still cover most of my day-to-day driving and I could charge overnight in my garage. I’m mostly just disappointed because my early expectations for the Slate don’t match my reality (thinking: how much it would actually cost me)—and it’s starting to feel like an EV that really fits my needs without costing a fortune just isn’t the Slate. This is just my disappointment, and for others the Slate may still be an exciting and worthwhile purchase.

 

[zipn]

The the resistive heater in the first generation slate isn’t going to help with battery range in the deep winter . EV‘s with heat pumps will be a bit more efficient in that regard

We canceled our slate reservation and instead just picked up a slightly used Hyundai ioniq 6 limited for half of the 56KMSRP. It’s fully loaded all wheel drive 270 mile plus range and goes like a bat out of hell still has five years and nine years left on the warranty. Only had 7000 miles and it’s a certified preowned with the dreaded iccu recall done.


used EV’s coming off of two year leases are about to flood the market. Great bargains to be found

 

[dark star]

We canceled our sleep reservation and instead just picked up a slightly used Hyundai ionic six for half of the 56KMSRP. It’s fully loaded all wheel drive 270 mile plus range and goes like a bat out of hell still has five years and nine years left on the warranty. Only had 7000 miles and it’s a certified preowned used EV’s coming off of two. Your leases are about to flood the market.

 

[dark star]

My sister has that Ioniq, and she is extremely happy with it! Enjoy yours.

 

[KevinRS]

If the Slate is preconditioned, so the cab and battery are warmed/cooled while connected to external power before you drive, that should help, especially if it happens in a garage.
But for really cold areas, Slate might just not be for you in winter.

 

[sodamo]

The more I read here the more I think people read “under $20,00“ and stopped thinking. Now they consider the rest, both known and unknown.

 

[Johnologue]

We canceled our sleep reservation and instead just picked up a slightly used Hyundai ionic six for half of the 56KMSRP. It’s fully loaded all wheel drive 270 mile plus range and goes like a bat out of hell still has five years and nine years left on the warranty. Only had 7000 miles and it’s a certified preowned used EV’s coming off of two. Your leases are about to flood the market.

My sister has that Ioniq, and she is extremely happy with it! Enjoy yours.

The Ioniq 6 is neat, but...did you reply to yourself?

 

[beatle]

Yeah this is a wild day.

10:33am: I’m not cancelling my reservation

Less than 7 hours later...

5:28pm: We canceled our sleep reservation and instead just picked up a slightly used Hyundai ionic six