Slate SF Bay Event - Hollister, CA - Swank Farms Fall Experience (& Photos Update)

[KevinRS]

Wonder of the possibility of a longer range, less expensive LPF battery as standard, maybe 175+ miles.

How would they get longer range out of LPF? Lower cost yes, but the tradeoff is lower energy density, so they would need a physically larger and heavier pack to even match the NMC range.

 

[sodamo]

How would they get longer range out of LPF? Lower cost yes, but the tradeoff is lower energy density, so they would need a physically larger and heavier pack to even match the NMC range.

i don’t know, just guessing there was some wiggle room in the statement
”Eric Keipper, Slate’s head of engineering, said the automaker could’ve managed the 150-mile range of its base vehicle with LFP cells. But energy density would’ve been a problem for the longer-range, 240-mile version. That makes sense, given that the Slate truck is pretty tiny and there’s only so much space in the floor for battery cells. “

 

[GaRailroader]

i don’t know, just guessing there was some wiggle room in the statement
”Eric Keipper, Slate’s head of engineering, said the automaker could’ve managed the 150-mile range of its base vehicle with LFP cells. But energy density would’ve been a problem for the longer-range, 240-mile version. That makes sense, given that the Slate truck is pretty tiny and there’s only so much space in the floor for battery cells. “

I think I would still prefer the LFP if it was 200 mile range versus the NMC at 240.

 

[sodamo]

I think I would still prefer the LFP if it was 200 mile range versus the NMC at 240.

Would definitely work to my advantage. Longest planned drive is 160 miles.

 

[KevinRS]

i don’t know, just guessing there was some wiggle room in the statement
”Eric Keipper, Slate’s head of engineering, said the automaker could’ve managed the 150-mile range of its base vehicle with LFP cells. But energy density would’ve been a problem for the longer-range, 240-mile version. That makes sense, given that the Slate truck is pretty tiny and there’s only so much space in the floor for battery cells. “

OK, that seems like it would work out, the smaller pack leaves some empty space, with LFP they could still fit 150 miles worth of battery, but 240 miles just is too big of a pack.

 

[bartflossom]

Looks like lfp production in the states is evolving rapidly. I'd prefer the larger pack with LFP and would be happy with 175 or so miles of range.

 

[cadblu]

The idea of switching to LFP chemistry at this stage doesn't make financial sense. Slate was very transparent that they already have a long-term deal in place for U.S.-made NMC cells with SK On through 2031.

Of course, they could have another pending deal in the works for LFP packs from startup US based battery suppliers. I guess they can freely source whatever battery system works for them, as long as the range meets or exceeds the advertised targets of 150 / 240 miles. They would need to disclose which battery system is in the vehicle before you purchase.