Slate Target Market Flowchart

[Letas]

I've spent a lot of time here trying to understand what the target market is for the Slate, and I think I've gathered it all into a flowchart for who the Slate is meant for.

Let me know your thoughts below, and/or what I missed

 

[zipn]

Actually even if you're not a contractor .. just need a commuter vehicle with 2 passenger limitation. The SUV kits add the extra seating but if they really are $5K more then the next gen Bolts and the new Hyundai/Kias that are due out in 26 are probably a better bet (depending upon if they qualify for the same tax credit as the Slate). I'll keep my Slate reservation, but when they start shipping I'll be looking at all the lower cost EV options. Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

 

[E90400K]

I think you missed socioeconomic factors and available charging infrastructure access.

 

[Letas]

I think you missed socioeconomic factors and available charging infrastructure access.

Ah yes, I forgot the ever elusive "this is a low-priced car not designed for lower-earning consumers"

 

[cvollers]

Actually even if you're not a contractor .. just need a commuter vehicle with 2 passenger limitation. The SUV kits add the extra seating but if they really are $5K more then the next gen Bolts and the new Hyundai/Kias that are due out in 26 are probably a better bet (depending upon if they qualify for the same tax credit as the Slate). I'll keep my Slate reservation, but when they start shipping I'll be looking at all the lower cost EV options. Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

Slate’s website is showing a “Cargo” topper option without rear seats. This one has my name on it.

 

[E90400K]

Ah yes, I forgot the ever elusive "this is a low-priced car not designed for lower-earning consumers"

I think it factors in.

 

[AZFox]

Ideally Slate will offer the SUV tops without the roll bar and seats to stay competitive.

This is something I was wondering about.

The Cargo Kit, with no windows, turns the truck into a little electric panel van. I'd prefer to have windows back there.

 

[Sven101]

I'm not sure how common my demographic is, but I don't fit your flowchart.

I live outside of the city on a couple acres in a densely forested area. I need something to drive back and forth to work 30 miles each way, and a truck bed. The truck bet gets used for gravel for the driveway, firewood, fence posts, my huge dog in his crate, etc. I use the bed in a way that would be difficult in an SUV probably once a week.

We rarely get snow, but do get quite a bit of ice. I stick winter tires on in the winter and thanks to my old hobby (rallycross), I feel comfortable with (maybe even slight prefer) rear wheel drive to all wheel drive.

My current car is a 2021 Frontier, rwd with the king cab.

What I'm giving up to the frontier is the area behind the driver's seat (made up for by the frunk), 1 foot of bed length (but the slate's will be much lower to the ground and more comfortable to load), and tow capacity (which I don't use often, if I need to tow something once in a blue moon I'll just rent a truck with the trailer).

What I'm gaining in the Slate is saving myself 450 bucks in gas a month in exchange for something like 50 bucks in electricity, and a smaller, simpler car which takes very little maintenance. I'm a bit of a minimalist, and the only buttons in my car I ever touch are the radio volume and the climate controls.

It's the perfect everyday vehicle for me.

I think it'd work for most commuting truck owners, but most of those aren't honest about what they actually need in a truck. A lot of folks I work with are in the "not a real truck" crowd, while they burn gas and take up space in their f250 king ranch without a scratch on it that gets two bags of compost a year in the truck, if that.

The range may be a tad annoying, but I don't drive long distance more than once every few months. Having to stop for a cup of coffee every two hours isn't a deal breaker.

 

[BahamaTodd]

From the fleet site: https://www.slate.auto/en/fleet

 

[cvollers]

From the fleet site: https://www.slate.auto/en/fleet

My advertising commuter will have something similar, just a completely different graphic.

 

[mikell]

Being designed in Michigan I would hope they have a handle on the heat and AC. I'm volunteering to be a Test Engineer for real life testing if they want one.

 

[dcgray2]

Why the cold climate disqualifier?

 

[cvollers]

Why the cold climate disqualifier?

Some EVs are notorious for poor battery performance when it gets cold (eg. VW Buzz). I’m hopeful that Slate is not one of them.

 

[Letas]

Why the cold climate disqualifier?

Lithium ion batteries experience performance degradation in the cold. To counteract this, companies use heat pumps to keep the battery at a stable temperature. Signs are pointing towards Slate not using heat pumps.

150 mile range means 90 mile effective range in normal temps. Chop off another 30% for cold temps, and now you're talking a car that can't make a 65 mile round trip.

 

[TRP]

I don't think Slate is looking/marketing towards the road trip crowd here. 150 mile range fully charged is not a road trip vehicle. 240 miles fully charged, yes. However, I take comfort into account for a car to travel in and Slate does not even get on my radar for that. Very few of the creature comforts folks have gotten used to these days.

Now as a local, city driver or a commuter, work truck. This thing may be the ticket. I think it is for us, anyway.

We live in Louisville KY, in the city. Garage in the alley. Garage depth is only 16', so we are limited to what will fit. I can street park, but not be able to charge an EV like that. We will keep a more comfortable EV for traveling but use the Slate for almost all our city driving. SUV conversion but no rear seats and the dogs can trash the back end with no worries. Grocery store, hardware store, etc....I think the Slate will do just fine. I expect shorter range in the winter but I am not worried about it.

That's just my take on..........YMMV