Sadly the dream has already died for me

[kroked]

Just a few days ago I posted why the slate truck was a perfect fit for me.
But I have learned some new facts that has ruined the whole appeal.

First and foremost, slate has recently confirmed will not be shipping to Hawaii. I'm not sure when it was added, but right now in the FAQ under "Can I purchase a Slate outside the US" it says "contintal US". Do you know what? Hawaii is actually inside the US so why is this listed in that section?

When they clarified this recently they offered us the convenience of "purchasing with delivery to a California port."
This is a joke.
If I told someone in Indiana they could pick up their car in Puerto Rico it would be less shocking as those are substantially closer to each other than Hawaii and California.

I also learned that not only does Hawaii not have an EV tax incentive , they actually have an extra registration fee for EVs on top of the normal fee.

As an additional negative, I was just reading how there is an app that can remotely unlock the doors. OH MY GOD I DON"T WANT THIS.
Bad tech is whats hampering my current truck, but nothing as blatant as this! If its even possible for an app to unlock my doors then I am not going to buy it. Not a chance.

I have cancelled my reservation.

 

[YDR37]

If its even possible for an app to unlock my doors then I am not going to buy it. Not a chance.

Well, that might rule out every new car from every manufacturer, not just Slate. For example, Ford has included a FordPass Connect modem, which works with the optional FordPass phone app, in every new car since the 2020 model year.

I have a 2023 Ford F-150 XL -- the most basic, lowest trim work truck -- and can confirm that you can lock/unlock the doors with the FordPass phone app. You can also remotely start (but not drive) the truck from your phone. I haven't checked every manufacturer, but I would guess that an available phone app with lock/unlock is pretty much standard these days.

If you don't like the idea of a phone app -- it's optional. You aren't required to install the app on your phone, it's just an optional way to supplement your key or fob. Could be helpful if you accidentally locked your fob/key inside.

 

[Adam W]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully the continental US restriction is a limited time thing until manufacturing ramps up. My family was stationed in Hawaii for a few years, and even with the Navy paying to have vehicles shipped both ways, I remember it being a pain.

ChatGPT tells me that 39 states have implemented extra registration fees for EVs to compensate for gas tax reductions. Roads need maintenance. You're still paying the tax if you get an ICE vehicle, it's just slowly paid at the pump each time you fill up instead.

As for the keyless entry, it would be more secure than the RF key fobs commonly used. Digital car keys use the same system as tap-to-pay credit cards with NFC or short range bluetooth. It remains to be seen exactly how the Slate implementation would work.

 

[GaRailroader]

Just a few days ago I posted why the slate truck was a perfect fit for me.
But I have learned some new facts that has ruined the whole appeal.

First and foremost, slate has recently confirmed will not be shipping to Hawaii. I'm not sure when it was added, but right now in the FAQ under "Can I purchase a Slate outside the US" it says "contintal US". Do you know what? Hawaii is actually inside the US so why is this listed in that section?

When they clarified this recently they offered us the convenience of "purchasing with delivery to a California port."
This is a joke.
If I told someone in Indiana they could pick up their car in Puerto Rico it would be less shocking as those are substantially closer to each other than Hawaii and California.

I also learned that not only does Hawaii not have an EV tax incentive , they actually have an extra registration fee for EVs on top of the normal fee.

As an additional negative, I was just reading how there is an app that can remotely unlock the doors. OH MY GOD I DON"T WANT THIS.
Bad tech is whats hampering my current truck, but nothing as blatant as this! If its even possible for an app to unlock my doors then I am not going to buy it. Not a chance.

I have cancelled my reservation.

Perhaps after the first year of deliveries they will add Alaska and Hawaii and other countries. Georgia also has an extra EV fee. They justify it by saying since we are getting out of the gas tax this is a way we can pay for our damage to the roads. Only, it is way more than a typical ICE driver pays in gas tax and it isn’t used for road maintenance. Just a deterrent to buying an EV. As far as being able to remotely unlock and lock your car, I don’t see much downside on that. I am not sure how it would work though. I have it in my Tesla but am also paying a $100 annual AT&T wireless data bill on that so that I can communicate with the car from afar. Can look at the cameras remotely, or turn on the AC 5 minutes before I get to it so it isn’t 120 degrees in it on a hot summer day.

 

[YDR37]

Perhaps after the first year of deliveries they will add Alaska and Hawaii and other countries.

The Slate FAQs say:

The Slate and Slate accessories will only be available for purchase in the continental United States, for now.

So deliveries will be initially limited to the 48 states, but "for now" part suggests that Slate hopes to expand beyond that in the future.

 

[kroked]

For example, Ford

yeah, as I described in my previous post, I'm having trouble with the tech in my old ford they can't fix so its technically not roadworthy. I'm not considering a ford for this reason, and the abusive dealerships.

So for now its looking more likely my next car will be a used truck, maybe one of the tiny ones from china?

 

[slateya]

Sorry to hear. I am watching for future remote connectivity tech announcements closely. From the “strip everything out except what makes it drive” language in the reveal event, the remote app connectivity and subscription fee comment if true are shocking.

 

[kroked]

From the “strip everything out except what makes it drive” language in the reveal event, the remote app connectivity and subscription fee comment if true are shocking.

QFT

 

[skidoofast]

Well, that might rule out every new car from every manufacturer, not just Slate. For example, Ford has included a FordPass Connect modem, which works with the optional FordPass phone app, in every new car since the 2020 model year.

I have a 2023 Ford F-150 XL -- the most basic, lowest trim work truck -- and can confirm that you can lock/unlock the doors with the FordPass phone app. You can also remotely start (but not drive) the truck from your phone. I haven't checked every manufacturer, but I would guess that an available phone app with lock/unlock is pretty much standard these days.

If you don't like the idea of a phone app -- it's optional. You aren't required to install the app on your phone, it's just an optional way to supplement your key or fob. Could be helpful if you accidentally locked your fob/key inside.

My 2017 f150 has the ford pass auto start, it’s awesome

if Slate offers the app or free like my for does then I’m in, if it’s a monthly or yearly subscription then NO

hell my son bought a CF Moto motorcycle, it’s got an app that tells him where his bike is and a bunch of other things

 

[sodamo]

Just a few days ago I posted why the slate truck was a perfect fit for me.
But I have learned some new facts that has ruined the whole appeal.

First and foremost, slate has recently confirmed will not be shipping to Hawaii. I'm not sure when it was added, but right now in the FAQ under "Can I purchase a Slate outside the US" it says "contintal US". Do you know what? Hawaii is actually inside the US so why is this listed in that section?

When they clarified this recently they offered us the convenience of "purchasing with delivery to a California port."
This is a joke.
If I told someone in Indiana they could pick up their car in Puerto Rico it would be less shocking as those are substantially closer to each other than Hawaii and California.

I also learned that not only does Hawaii not have an EV tax incentive , they actually have an extra registration fee for EVs on top of the normal fee.

As an additional negative, I was just reading how there is an app that can remotely unlock the doors. OH MY GOD I DON"T WANT THIS.
Bad tech is whats hampering my current truck, but nothing as blatant as this! If its even possible for an app to unlock my doors then I am not going to buy it. Not a chance.

I have cancelled my reservation.

sorry to read you cancelled.
i was encouraged by response to my inquiry.
sadly, i suspect if hawaii reservations get cancelled that will be interpreted as lack of interest and only hurt our chances.
as for fee, you gonna quit driving to avoid road tax in the gas price?
probably be a way to disable app.
hope you change your mind.

 

[kroked]

hope you change your mind.

Unlikely. I've played this game before. 36k$ for a barebones truck with an easy to build stainless exoskeleton slow morphed over 5 years to "its an aluminum model Y with panels literally glued on", oh, and it cost 90k.

Slate is already morphing from a bare-bones to a computer on wheels faster than cybertruck did. Which is exactly on the nose what I do not want.

 

[sodamo]

Unlikely. I've played this game before. 36k$ for a barebones truck with an easy to build stainless exoskeleton slow morphed over 5 years to "its an aluminum model Y with panels literally glued on", oh, and it cost 90k.

Slate is already morphing from a bare-bones to a computer on wheels faster than cybertruck did. Which is exactly on the nose what I do not want.

should that happen, I too will cancel, but until then I won’t be influenced by those that have no official knowledge.but an active negative imagination.

 

[GreatLakes]

Just a few days ago I posted why the slate truck was a perfect fit for me.
But I have learned some new facts that has ruined the whole appeal.

First and foremost, slate has recently confirmed will not be shipping to Hawaii. I'm not sure when it was added, but right now in the FAQ under "Can I purchase a Slate outside the US" it says "contintal US". Do you know what? Hawaii is actually inside the US so why is this listed in that section?

When they clarified this recently they offered us the convenience of "purchasing with delivery to a California port."
This is a joke.
If I told someone in Indiana they could pick up their car in Puerto Rico it would be less shocking as those are substantially closer to each other than Hawaii and California.

I also learned that not only does Hawaii not have an EV tax incentive , they actually have an extra registration fee for EVs on top of the normal fee.

As an additional negative, I was just reading how there is an app that can remotely unlock the doors. OH MY GOD I DON"T WANT THIS.
Bad tech is whats hampering my current truck, but nothing as blatant as this! If its even possible for an app to unlock my doors then I am not going to buy it. Not a chance.

I have cancelled my reservation.

Sorry your dream is suffering!

Note that two of your items are Hawaii state laws. Hard to blame Slate for those.

And your final item about unlocking from an app: I don't quite see how this is possible, unless you leave your phone in the truck? The Slate by itself doesn't have any modems, so it won't be receiving any commands unless it is linked to a phone with a cellular data plan. My understanding, anyway.

Ummm, how much does it cost to ship a small vehicle to your island?