Range predictions

[cadblu]

Back to my theory that the base Slate has an LFP battery, and the long-range has the NMC.

Why would they showcase a 100% fully charged NMC battery at a Level 3 charger? We know it's a Level 3 because it took only 19 minutes to add 115 miles. We all know that NMC batteries should be charged to 80% for daily driving and optimal battery longevity. I understand this is just a representation, but it's sending the wrong message in my opinion.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Back to my theory that the base Slate has an LFP battery, and the long-range has the NMC.

Why would they showcase a 100% fully charged NMC battery at a Level 3 charger? We know it's a Level 3 because it took only 19 minutes to add 115 miles. We all know that NMC batteries should be charged to 80% for daily driving and optimal battery longevity. I understand this is just a representation, but it's sending the wrong message in my opinion.

Charging those NMC batteries to 100% is okay, just don't let it stay there long. I charged mine up for a road trip, and always do. It's what that capacity is for, so use it. And I agree with you, that is avoid charging to 100% for daily use. Lately I plug in around 35% and stop charging at 50% according to some very informative videos I saw on this here forum (so that's why I stick around... )

Maybe Slate doesn't want to send a message that their stuff cannot be used to 100% of its capacity? I'm not a mind reader so I cannot guess their motives.

 

[Driven5]

I still think the Slate is too small to use LFP, especially in its short range version.

The long range NMC pack takes up 60% more space than the standard range NMC pack... That means there is significant empty battery space in the standard range Slate to play with to get the same standard pack range from an LFP pack as an NMC pack... And if it's really that important to get the base price down in the absence of the tax credit, contracts can be amended easily enough.

The biggest reason not to go standard LFP and NMC long range is that the small pack and large pack would no longer be using the same modules, as they had originally intended. While that would probably increase the large pack module cost slightly, it could potentially also be enough of a net gain for them to consider making the change even this late in the game.

 

[cadblu]

Slate explores different battery suppliers

This was the big story in September. If they have a contract in place with SK On; it doesn’t mean that it was by any means “exclusive,“ negating Slate from having second source battery suppliers.

 

[beatle]

Right, so there would be no small LFP, only large, and this would also require retooling of the pack.

SK can't even make LFP in GA right now.

It will be interesting to see what the take rate is of the small battery. Slate may have only introduced it to advertise such a low base price. Not necessarily a bad strategy, but If they can keep the large pack under $30k, I could see them eventually dropping the small pack unless it happens to be very popular. This is really the only factory option on the truck.

 

[cadblu]

Exactly my point. With the repeal of the $7500 Federal tax credit, there was no longer any valid business reason to source battery components from the US. This opened the door for Slate to source cheaper LFP batteries from foreign entities. And the opportunity to offer the lowest possible introductory price on the blank Slate. Maybe we'll be waking up to a pleasant surprise on 6/22.

 

[GaRailroader]

Exactly my point. With the repeal of the $7500 Federal tax credit, there was no longer any valid business reason to source battery components from the US. This opened the door for Slate to source cheaper LFP batteries from foreign entities. And the opportunity to offer the lowest possible introductory price on the blank Slate. Maybe we'll be waking up to a pleasant surprise on 6/22.

Tariffs could make importing batteries cost prohibitive.

Based on article below Georgia plant is shifting production to energy storage batteries which I assumed was LFP.

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/sk...-nearly-1000-workers-at-georgia-plant/814288/

 

[cadblu]

As an interesting side note, Tesla uses LFP batteries for its standard range RWD Model 3, but reserves more the costly NMC packs for its long range models. They have quietly made changes in battery chemistry over the years to keep their vehicles competitively priced.

 

[GaRailroader]

As an interesting side note, Tesla uses LFP batteries for its standard range RWD Model 3, but reserves more the costly NMC packs for its long range models. They have quietly made changes in battery chemistry over the years to keep their vehicles competitively priced.

My understanding is that is Telo’s plan as well. LFP for standard battery and NMC for long range pack.

 

[danielt1263]

One point toward the LFP fans... It's the only battery type mentioned on the Slate website. https://www.slate.auto/en/ev-batteries

Battery design – Most electric vehicles today use modern lithium-ion batteries that are built to last for many years.

They don't say the Slate uses lithium-ion, but it's the only page I've found anywhere on Slate's site that mentions battery type at all so there's that...

 

[Revenant89]

One point toward the LFP fans... It's the only battery type mentioned on the Slate website. https://www.slate.auto/en/ev-batteries

They don't say the Slate uses lithium-ion, but it's the only page I've found anywhere on Slate's site that mentions battery type at all so there's that...

They're both types of lithium-ion batteries. The acronym stands for the cathode material.

 

[kvermeer]

There could totally be aero bodies for slate hypermiling! Nerd life! We live it!

Definitely considering this for my Slate! I suspect that the biggest easy win for aerodynamics will be the lowering kit. Perhaps a tonneau cover, or a roll bar ladder rack with side skirts (though I suspect that the effects of the fancy down-facing wing on the back of the pickup rear window would be easy to ruin with DIY "improvements". Wheel covers over the rear arches could be a huge improvement too if you're willing to go to that length!

Just doing a chemistry change, there's really no room for more cells or they'd be using that space for more cells already.

They're offering two packs already. The high-capacity battery variant is using space that the standard-capacity battery variant is leaving unused, they could switch that standard-capacity battery to a higher-volume, lower-density LFP type and get about the same range at lower cost for the base model. It does mean two battery suppliers and two chemistries and all that, but I think (hope) the loss of the federal rebates and developments in LFP tech since the Slate was designed could make it worthwhile.

 

[Revenant89]

I suspect that the biggest easy win for aerodynamics will be the lowering kit.

A lowering kit? It's already going to be lower than a Lobo Maverick. I can't imagine going lower😅.

 

[kvermeer]

A lowering kit? It's already going to be lower than a Lobo Maverick. I can't imagine going lower😅.

It's already a whole lot higher than a Model 3, Bolt, Leaf, Prius, etc.

 

[Driven5]

A lowering kit? It's already going to be lower than a Lobo Maverick. I can't imagine going lower😅.

Slated Blank Slate height: 69.3
Maverick Lobo height: 67.7
Maverick Lobo ground clearance: 7.4
Accord ground clearance: 5.3

Maverick Lobo is lower than a Blank Slate, but hardly 'low'. I can easily imagine lower than a Lobo.