Special Q&A for Reservation Holders w/ Slate Auto CEO

[AZFox]

Slate Automotive's ethos is Radical Simplicity that's achieved by removing what isn't necessary.

I consider preconditioning necessary.

A button on the fob that turns preconditioning on, although not strictly necessary, seems like something they could easily include. (Easy for me to say. What do I know?)

That said, are electronically controlled A/C settings that are remotely adjustable via 2-way wireless communication a feature they should consider necessary?

 

[KevinRS]

Slate Automotive's ethos is Radical Simplicity that's achieved by removing what isn't necessary.

I consider preconditioning necessary.

A button on the fob that turns preconditioning on, although not strictly necessary, seems like something they could easily include. (Easy for me to say. What do I know?)

That said, are electronically controlled A/C settings that are remotely adjustable via 2-way wireless communication a feature they should consider necessary?

As far as we know, the 2 way bit, or even 1 way with anything beyond a fob's range have never been mentioned. Wouldn't hurt to ask though.
Nothing we ask for is going to change anything about the design at this point, though some questions might lead to new accessory options.

 

[Luxrage]

I'm hoping the app will be a simple setup for navigation with battery life of the truck factored in... if you plug it in. I wholly intend to not use the app at all, but will keep it installed as I expect it will also be where you'll get push notifications for vehicle updates. It'll pre-download them and once you plug your phone in, will push them to the truck. Slate better expect to get some sort of email or SMS notification system ready as well as I bet there will be some no-adopters for the app. I am not sure exactly how the feds regulate OEMs forcing updates.

As for those wanting the dog cargo carrier, I'm hoping Leer or JemTop steps up if Slate fumbles it and does indeed release a "SUV kit with no seats, rollbar included" as the cargo top. But they'll only be motivated by seeing some sales numbers.

 

[danielt1263]

I just asked another question... Will the truck's communication system with the app have a publicly available API so that other's can write apps using it?

If so, I will for sure be writing an app.

 

[cds]

As for those wanting the dog cargo carrier, I'm hoping Leer or JemTop steps up if Slate fumbles it and does indeed release a "SUV kit with no seats, rollbar included" as the cargo top. But they'll only be motivated by seeing some sales numbers.

I asked them about this a while back. The Slate customer service rep told me that the seats and roll bar have to be used together, and the Cargo Kit does NOT include the roll bar.

I suggested they offer a roll bar as an optional accessory with the Cargo Kit. I'm learning from this thread that I'm the odd man out, but I actually WANT my dogs protected by a roll bar, and not having it will be a dealbreaker in my case. (I can imagine other situations where people might have valuable but fragile equipment they'd want protection for in a rollover situation, so I'm hoping I'm not the only one with this request.)

I still have my reservation and am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[metroshot]

My questions:

• Who and where will service department work be performed ?
• Will there be any mobile service options ?
• 
  
• What is the update on Tesla Supercharger access - will rates be "non Tesla" pricing or will Tesla offer a discounted driver rate for a monthly subscription ?

 

[cadblu]

My questions:

• What is the update on Tesla Supercharger access - will rates be "non Tesla" pricing or will Tesla offer a discounted driver rate for a monthly subscription ?

For $12.99 per month, you can charge your Slate at any Tesla charging station and pay the discounted rate.

 

[sodamo]

I asked them about this a while back. The Slate customer service rep told me that the seats and roll bar have to be used together, and the Cargo Kit does NOT include the roll bar.

I suggested they offer a roll bar as an optional accessory with the Cargo Kit. I'm learning from this thread that I'm the odd man out, but I actually WANT my dogs protected by a roll bar, and not having it will be a dealbreaker in my case. (I can imagine other situations where people might have valuable but fragile equipment they'd want protection for in a rollover situation, so I'm hoping I'm not the only one with this request.)

I still have my reservation and am keeping my fingers crossed.

All you have to do is get the full SUV kit and remove the seat. Slate has stated this from the beginning. True, you cannot install the seat without the rollbar, but just the rollbar does not require the seat.

could you post the actual Slate response saying cargo kit does not include rollbar please.

 

[fuzzyweis]

I asked about a sliding rear window option. In my 2000 Ford Ranger Electric with all of 40 miles of range it really does help as passive A/C, in the 50s and 60s you can crack the rear window and not need the defroster(moisture in the inside air balances with outside air), in the 80s you can slide it wide open for more air flow and back of neck cooling. And being a rear window it doesn't impact range like rolling down the side windows as that's all turbulent flow already anyways.

I'm curious about the pet options mentioned too, like our dog would have a time getting in the back if we have to tilt the front seat, but if they had access to the rear with a cap and was open to the front at least through the window that'd be cool, even better if the seats did a 60/40 split so we could let them through that way.

-Jim

 

[Luxrage]

I put my questions in, most notable being whether there'd be accessory power capable of a single or double din radio prewired into the truck and would there be easy capability to run speakers to the doors.

 

[cds]

All you have to do is get the full SUV kit and remove the seat. Slate has stated this from the beginning. True, you cannot install the seat without the rollbar, but just the rollbar does not require the seat.

could you post the actual Slate response saying cargo kit does not include rollbar please.

SUV kit with the seat removed was my original plan, but I wrote specifically to ask if the seat could be removed from the SUV kit, and they told me it could not "for safety reasons." Then they said the Cargo Kit might be what I was looking for; I asked if it included the roll bar, and they said no.

(Sorry, I can't post it verbatim. It was a live online chat, not email. I hadn't discovered these forums yet and didn't know how many others had the same questions I have or might have saved it.)

 

[cadblu]

All you have to do is get the full SUV kit and remove the seat. Slate has stated this from the beginning. True, you cannot install the seat without the rollbar, but just the rollbar does not require the seat.

could you post the actual Slate response saying cargo kit does not include rollbar please.

Unfortunately, I think many of us will be disappointed with the “cargo kit.” Yes, it may be available without seats and roll bar, but “windows“ will be solid panels (no glass). Totally different look which doesn’t appeal to me. Just like all other true cargo vans (think Nissan NV). Nice for commercial business or fleets with a logo /wrap, not so much for personal use.

 

[Luxrage]

Unfortunately, I think many of us will be disappointed with the “cargo kit.” Yes, it may be available without seats and roll bar, but “windows“ will be solid panels (no glass). Totally different look which doesn’t appeal to me. Just like all other true cargo vans (think Nissan NV). Nice for commercial business or fleets with a logo /wrap, not so much for personal use.

That's my suspicion too. Putting the glass in it for wrappers to have to work with will over complicate things and just be another way for someone to peer into the cargo area. Fully expecting something like

 

[KevinRS]

There has been little to see of the fleet cargo kit. Just exterior shots that might be a mockup.
The open air has only the roll bars, the fastback is fitted to the shape of the roll bars, and the SUV has the same roll bars in it. From the photos of the interior of the fastback and SUV, it looks like the rollbars are used as a frame for those body kits.
If you are thinking not having the roll bars is make or break for you, I'd say wait to make that call until you can see it with the roll bars in person.