News: Slate exploring different battery supplier. SUV kit price to be $5000 range

[KevinRS]

I think they may still be at a stage where a battery change is possible. Last factory update we saw, they were still in demo, and had pallets of only the most basic parts of the assembly line on hand, like parts of the track vehicles would move along, that would be needed whatever the configuration. As long as batteries from another supplier can be built into a pack that fits the same footprint in the vehicle, that's only a short branch of the line that changes at all.

 

[sodamo]

I think they may still be at a stage where a battery change is possible. Last factory update we saw, they were still in demo, and had pallets of only the most basic parts of the assembly line on hand, like parts of the track vehicles would move along, that would be needed whatever the configuration. As long as batteries from another supplier can be built into a pack that fits the same footprint in the vehicle, that's only a short branch of the line that changes at all.

i would hope the pack is somewhat generic in that it could accommodate a variety of cells.

 

[Dorbiman]

It's also common for EVs to have multiple battery manufacturers, and sometimes even different battery chemistries. The Mustang Mach E had NMC and LFP packs in the same model year. The ID.4 had both LG Chem & SK batteries. I wouldn't be surprised if they ran with multiple suppliers now that there may be a surplus of supply

 

[Splinter]

I'd love if it was an LFP pack. I know they're generally less energy dense, but the increased longevity and ability to charge to 100% all the time with little to no effect on battery health is a big bonus to me.

Some sources say it's OK to charge LFP batteries to 100% all the time. Other sources say it's not a good idea. Which is correct? If, in fact, charging an LFP battery to 100% is OK, then it could have a range that's equal to an NMC battery that's only charged to a recommended 80%. But let's forget that for a moment. Let's assume that Slate sticks with the planned NMC battery pack, and the battery is only charged to a recommended max of 80%. Obviously, the estimated range is going to be less than 150 miles (perhaps 120 miles?). Now let's get real. You're taking a trip in your Slate. It's night, and your lights are on. You're running the heater or the AC. You've added a nice audio system with a subwoofer to your truck, and you've got it cranked up. You've got a passenger with you that weighs 200 pounds. You've also got the additional weight of a spare tire, a jack, and a couple of 40 pound bags of dirt in the bed. Lastly, you're cruising down the freeway at 70 mph. Now what's your range? 100 miles? Perhaps, even less? I'll be glad when third parties are able to test the Slate truck and report on real-world range and actual 0 to 60 acceleration times.

 

[catiare]

Some sources say it's OK to charge LFP batteries to 100% all the time. Other sources say it's not a good idea. Which is correct? If, in fact, charging an LFP battery to 100% is OK, then it could have a range that's equal to an NMC battery that's only charged to a recommended 80%. But let's forget that for a moment. Let's assume that Slate sticks with the planned NMC battery pack, and the battery is only charged to a recommended max of 80%. Obviously, the estimated range is going to be less than 150 miles (perhaps 120 miles?). Now let's get real. You're taking a trip in your Slate. It's night, and your lights are on. You're running the heater or the AC. You've added a nice audio system with a subwoofer to your truck, and you've got it cranked up. You've got a passenger with you that weighs 200 pounds. You've also got the additional weight of a spare tire, a jack, and a couple of 40 pound bags of dirt in the bed. Lastly, you're cruising down the freeway at 70 mph. Now what's your range? 100 miles? Perhaps, even less? I'll be glad when third parties are able to test the Slate truck and report on real-world range and actual 0 to 60 acceleration times.

If i recall correctly, LFP is recommended to be charged frequently to 100% due to the charging curve so the BMS needs it to properly calibrate the batteries. Both batteries chemistries suffer over 80% SoC and under 20% but because LFP are rated for a lot more charges/discharges (=lasts longer) so then degradation is less of an issue. Its also important to note that LPF are less energy dense (=heavier at same KWH). For example the 2021 Model 3 RWD LFP was rated for 270 miles while the same year NMC was like around 320 (don’t remember the exact value) im assuming Tesla tried to maintain same vehicle weight there.

Regarding the extra weigh and stuff you are right. Drag will be a big killer at highway but we wont know the real numbers until we see some test data from them.

 

[KevinRS]

With the number of times it's come up, are people really planning to drive the slate at the limits of it's range?

I think most won't, most will be using half the range or less on a daily basis.

I've also seen articles saying not to worry so much about an 80/20 cycle, and to charge it as you use it, an "ABC" always be charging strategy. Also articles where people are seeing very little capacity degradation on some newer packs at high mileages.
Not much we are going to know until more info is released, and we see charging recommendations actually from Slate based on the packs they actually use.

 

[catiare]

With the number of times it's come up, are people really planning to drive the slate at the limits of it's range?

I think most won't, most will be using half the range or less on a daily basis.

I've also seen articles saying not to worry so much about an 80/20 cycle, and to charge it as you use it, an "ABC" always be charging strategy. Also articles where people are seeing very little capacity degradation on some newer packs at high mileages.
Not much we are going to know until more info is released, and we see charging recommendations actually from Slate based on the packs they actually use.

That’s true, a lot if times I’ve seen conversations in Reddit regarding SoC and you always hear some users claiming charging NMC to 100% every time without any meaningful degradation that would happen anyway regardless of how you charge.

 

[Trace26]

Some sources say it's OK to charge LFP batteries to 100% all the time. Other sources say it's not a good idea. Which is correct? If, in fact, charging an LFP battery to 100% is OK, then it could have a range that's equal to an NMC battery that's only charged to a recommended 80%. But let's forget that for a moment. Let's assume that Slate sticks with the planned NMC battery pack, and the battery is only charged to a recommended max of 80%. Obviously, the estimated range is going to be less than 150 miles (perhaps 120 miles?). Now let's get real. You're taking a trip in your Slate. It's night, and your lights are on. You're running the heater or the AC. You've added a nice audio system with a subwoofer to your truck, and you've got it cranked up. You've got a passenger with you that weighs 200 pounds. You've also got the additional weight of a spare tire, a jack, and a couple of 40 pound bags of dirt in the bed. Lastly, you're cruising down the freeway at 70 mph. Now what's your range? 100 miles? Perhaps, even less? I'll be glad when third parties are able to test the Slate truck and report on real-world range and actual 0 to 60 acceleration times.

Several articles and videos have been posted on here about how extra weight doesn't effect range very much. However, it would definitely hurt 0-60.
Of your other power draw comparisons the heater and AC would probably be the only noticable changes in range.

 

[Garbone]

With the number of times it's come up, are people really planning to drive the slate at the limits of it's range?

I think most won't, most will be using half the range or less on a daily basis.

I've also seen articles saying not to worry so much about an 80/20 cycle, and to charge it as you use it, an "ABC" always be charging strategy. Also articles where people are seeing very little capacity degradation on some newer packs at high mileages.
Not much we are going to know until more info is released, and we see charging recommendations actually from Slate based on the packs they actually use.

Total capacity does make a difference on charge time due to charge curve. Took a 330 mile trip in our EV rated at 230ish miles per charge. Stopped twice for 20 to 30 minutes each stop to get back to 80% and the curve drop. Wanting to get to the destination with enough to tool around town and not worry about charging.

150 miles would make that 3 or even 4 stops. Taking a 5 hour gas car trip, 6 hour meh range EV trip and turning it into a 6.5 to 7 hour charge fest.

Day to day we keep 100 miles as our lowest range before charging as we have elderly loved ones that we want to be prepared to visit. Only charge once a week or so.

It the range starts lower than 200 I think it moves the truck into commercial fleet and domestic curiosity range as it will just be annoying.

 

[Trace26]

Total capacity does make a difference on charge time due to charge curve. Took a 330 mile trip in our EV rated at 230ish miles per charge. Stopped twice for 20 to 30 minutes each stop to get back to 80% and the curve drop. Wanting to get to the destination with enough to tool around town and not worry about charging.

150 miles would make that 3 or even 4 stops. Taking a 5 hour gas car trip, 6 hour meh range EV trip and turning it into a 6.5 to 7 hour charge fest.

Day to day we keep 100 miles as our lowest range before charging as we have elderly loved ones that we want to be prepared to visit. Only charge once a week or so.

It the range starts lower than 200 I think it moves the truck into commercial fleet and domestic curiosity range as it will just be annoying.

I think this is very good info if you plan on this being your only vehicle. If you have a second car in the household you can use that instead.
This does get away from the "everyone has their car and no one drives mine" idea that's prevalent in the US.
But that mindset is not very practical or economic. The Slate is supposed to be both of those things, so you need to shift your mindset to use it properly.

 

[AL-Derby]

What about AIBs? Potentially offering a significant higher energy density. They just seem to potentially offer so many advantages. First no lithium. Breaks free of China monopoly controlling most of the lithium production. I’ve seen several reports that Tesla is ready to put them into production. I am not a battery expert. But the AIBs just seem to make sense.

 

[RetiredOnPaper]

My question would be how much redesign of the BMS would be required? Sodium Ion is looking like a viable and cost effective choice, but it is new and not very proven tech. I am sure you are looking at all the options. I just hope you can keep manufacture in the US...Michigan prefered.