It would be nice if a journalist would ask how Slate will build a truck with just 10% of the parts every other manufacturer requires to build their pickup truck.
But philosophically ICE needs to remain a viable transportation power source. For example, many people like to ride motorcycles and especially tour on them. Even with the advanced age of the EV battery no one has a solution for a tour bike that can get 200 - 250 miles per tank. I'm looking to replace my 26-year-old touring bike in 2026, and there are zero electric options. There are numerous electric motorcycles that have 80 to 100 miles of range but take too much time to recharge enroute. There simply is not enough real estate on a motorcycle to pack a large battery and the charging electronics to recover range in a reasonable rest period. And touring takes the rider places where charging infrastructure is not plentiful.
That's my point. People get themselves all bunched up like we have to chouse one over the other, that is just plain B.S. It's called using the right tool for the job, learned that from my grandpa.
That's the issue with all the people complaining about 1000 lb towing capacity and other things. This is the wrong tool if you need serious towing, this is for local light duty stuff. It's got a relatively small battery, and a power train to match, maybe they could beef some stuff up and double the tow rating relatively cheaply, but if that means towing range drops too much, especially on a grade, everyone would complain, and maybe sue.
Interesting. I assumed the reduced SKU number was something like a 10mm x 25mm bolt being one SKU. There might be 100 of them in the truck but it's still just one SKU. I hate working on things that have a bunch of similar but different bolts. I want to use my 10mm socket for everything. (Assuming I can find it.)
Totally fair callout- I assume this is one of the ways they will achieve it- and a good one at that. I'm more curious about the discourse here about pre-built assemblies and such.