Slate announces Tesla supercharger access + 4,000 service / repair shops RepairPal partnership!

[Dorbiman]

I think for many people, a regular bed topper would be a cheaper & probably better option than the cargo kit (read: not SUV kit)

That aside, the SUV kit has never really made sense to me. It's fun, and I love seeing another 2 door SUV on the market (looking at you, 2 door Bronco!)

The Truck only makes sense to me as a truck. If you have to start adding on all the extras, the math doesn't math for me anymore. Give me a double DIN fascia and the in-dash speakers, and I'm set.

As far as DIY-ing, I'm all in for it all. I would rather install the accessories myself than have a RepairPal center do it. For warranty work, unless Slate is paying me for standard dealer technician rates (which they won't) then I'm not doing it. If Slate can't figure out where to have it repaired near me, then I'll Lemon Law it and move on. This probably sounds like I'm being a hardass, but Slate Auto is a company, and if their model doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense. I don't have to baby them just because they're a new quirky startup.

 

[TomFrank]

I think for many people, a regular bed topper would be a cheaper & probably better option than the cargo kit (read: not SUV kit)

The difference, at least for me, would be that a bed topper limits access to the bed from the topper window & tailgate, while the non-SUV cargo kit sounds like there's access to the bed from the cab. At the Philly Zoo event I asked about access to the rear footwell area in the truck configuration and was told the only access was from the bed by removing the panel that is the front of the bed floor. I'd consider a tonneau instead if there was a way to access the rear footwell area from the cab.

 

[atreis]

In nearly every post from @atreis he mentions his need to flat-tow a vehicle behind is RV. He has stated he hopes Slate addresses his need to flat-tow. You can read on most car forums that flat-towing modern vehicles that have computer-controlled drivetrains is difficult. You can read numerous posts on the Bronco forums where owners follow the instructions to set their Bronco in flat-tow mode only to find they have burned out the automatic transmission because the computer did not set the automatic into neutral or the automatic for some reason switched out of flat-tow mode.

Making an EV flat-towable is not a simple task because most EV have some level of regenerative braking. Even electric golf carts have a switch to electrically disconnect the electric motor. I suggested a vehicle that has manual-shifting driveline transmissions that no computer is required to operate their gear selection modes. I didn't say a refurbed Wrangler is the same as a new EV, I suggested a fully-manual Wrangler (i.e. physical-lever-shifted transmission and transfer case) to eliminate concerns with flat-towing a vehicle behind an RV.

Slate has said they're looking to make it flat-towable. It's not just idle speculation. Rivian said the same though, and then backed off that when they released the R1T. Thus my skepticism. That said, if the Slate is, I'll buy one. If it isn't, then I have no interest. I have an EV I'm happy with as a daily driver, and currently flat tow a Ford Fiesta. I'd much rather have an EV that's flat-towable though so that I could have just one car where I currently have two and will buy the first that becomes available and fits within my towing weight limit. (And yes, as I've also said, it's a niche thing. But it's MY niche thing. )

Flat Tow support for Slate truck in the works [confirmed] | Slate Truck (EV Pickup & SUV) News, Forum, Owners, Community, Discussions

 

[sodamo]

The difference, at least for me, would be that a bed topper limits access to the bed from the topper window & tailgate, while the non-SUV cargo kit sounds like there's access to the bed from the cab. At the Philly Zoo event I asked about access to the rear footwell area in the truck configuration and was told the only access was from the bed by removing the panel that is the front of the bed floor. I'd consider a tonneau instead if there was a way to access the rear footwell area from the cab.

Agreed, prefer the non seat/rollbar option and hope keeping the lower midgate is an option (help keep my dogs in the back) Locally, apu with bed topper is quite common, suspect Slate sees that as an option. If I can’t get the SUV topper without seat& roller ball for reasonable $$, then waiting for a 3rd party option will be my option.

 

[AZFox]

Changing to another battery chemistry doesn't necessarily mean Slate needs to change suppliers.

electrive: SK On to manufacture LFP battery cells

 

[AZFox]

The fact of the matter is, if someone is shopping for an EV SUV to get them to and from places, the Equinox EV will beat out the Slate more often than not.

Not for me. I wouldn't buy a Chevrolet in general, and an Equinox in particular.

For me two doors is a feature, not a bug. I also like the ability to easily convert to an Open Air configuration. Maybe having the ability to re-wrap every once in a while tickles someone's fancy.

Maybe someone wants to have something that's "different".

The list of reasons someone might prefer a Slate (or any other SUV) is long and might not make sense to you or me.

Without a doubt some people buy an SUV as a Transportation Appliance, but most people choose which vehicle to buy for emotional and less-practical reasons.

 

[AZFox]

I think for many people, a regular bed topper would be a cheaper & probably better option than the cargo kit (read: not SUV kit)

If you remove the window from the rear of the cab and install a "regular bed topper" that seals to the cab you achieve what I'm looking for.

Agreed, prefer the non seat/rollbar option and hope keeping the lower midgate is an option (help keep my dogs in the back) Locally, apu with bed topper is quite common, suspect Slate sees that as an option. If I can’t get the SUV topper without seat& roller ball for reasonable $$, then waiting for a 3rd party option will be my option.

This.

 

[KevinRS]

The difference, at least for me, would be that a bed topper limits access to the bed from the topper window & tailgate, while the non-SUV cargo kit sounds like there's access to the bed from the cab. At the Philly Zoo event I asked about access to the rear footwell area in the truck configuration and was told the only access was from the bed by removing the panel that is the front of the bed floor. I'd consider a tonneau instead if there was a way to access the rear footwell area from the cab.

It would be nice if they at least added an accessory option to access that area from the cab in truck configuration. It would add more storage, and you could put things like small tool bags there, out of sight, where no one would think to look.