What is Slate competing with for YOUR money?

[TexasSlate]

The one vehicle that might be a direct competitor if the Ford "Skunkworks" midsize EV truck that's due in 2027 or so. This is being designed to be manufactured inexpensively. If Ford sells it as a four door for 30k, that might do it.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/ford-ceo-jim-farley-reveals-skunkworks-ev-platforms-code-name/

 

[RichEmp]

I will be looking at the new Bolt, Leaf or a a used EV ( Ioniq, Equinox, Etc)

 

[Dorbiman]

I built a complete autoshop at home 20 years ago complete with a lift, compressed air, under-hoist jacks and jackstands, etc. I'm seriously into DIY more than the average shade tree mechanic. But to replace a battery cell or two in an EV battery takes some in-depth training just for the safety aspect alone in addition to a specialized battery platform lift to remove the 4,000-pound battery from the chassis. I've seen EV battery lifts from $4,000 (Torin) to $10,000 (Bend Pac). So, to safely remove a battery from a Tesla would cost the home mechanic some $8,000 to $14,000 just for the lifting equipment (car lift + battery lift). Let's just get real for a moment.

Come on now, you don't need a lift table to do a pack swap. 90% of the time people just use a 2 post lift. You said you already have one, right? So no biggie. I'm also VERY curious about what EV you're looking at with a 4000 battery. A Model S battery is 1200lbs. The Renault Zoe has the same capacity battery as the Blank Slate, and that battery weighs 720 lbs. People swing in LS engines mated to a 6L80E all the time, which weighs about the same.

You continue to beat the drum about how EV maintenance is so scary and difficult and impractical. We get it. It's also irrelevant to this thread, right? Perhaps you should make your own thread about the impending doom of EV maintenance.

 

[Adam W]

I still have a reservation on the Scout Terra. It's a LOT of truck, more than I need, and probably 3x the price of the Slate. But it is pretty. I'd continue to watch the development on that if the Slate doesn't pan out, but I'm not super excited about it like I am the slate. Not sure if I would actually pull the trigger on it whenever that decision point comes even if there is no Slate in my driveway. Most likely, I would go without anything. All the other manufacturers seem to be all in on building AI connected/tracking/data collection machines and that's a real turn off. This image from Honda's 0 prototype page terrifies me.

 

[Driven5]

The "comparison" I have is with the Aptera, not really a comparison since they are quite different.

How real comparisons are happening with things that 'are quite different' is kind of the point of this thread. Is there something more tangible you'd do if Slate, Aptera, and Telo all don't come home though?


Paul Rodgers, SLATEchad, Dorbiman:
The best way to stop an argument is to not take the bait. If you let a fanatics* lack of capacity to make even a single relevant contribution allow you to help them derail the conversation, you become a part of the problem rather than the solution.


*A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. -Winston Churchill

 

[Dorbiman]

Paul Rodgers, SLATEchad, Dorbiman:
The best way to stop an argument is to not take the bait. If you let a fanatics* lack of capacity to make even a single relevant contribution allow you to help them derail the conversation, you become a part of the problem rather than the solution.


*A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. -Winston Churchill

You're right. It's not the first thread they've derailed either.

Back on topic: The only other one I'd consider (outside of the previously mentioned ID.GTI) is whatever the next Chevy Bolt is. I doubt I'll be excited about it, but if its cheap and makes sense, it might be hard to look away from.

 

[AZFox]

The Slate came out of nowhere and suddenly opened up a whole new category of vehicle.

Indeed it did. And it resurrected an old one, the Small Pickup.

 

[motorolas]

I’ve got a 2012 Honda Fit, and the Slate is competing with me getting the last available US Honda Fit model sold, 2020. I’ve also considered the Honda HR-V and the Toyota CR-V.
I would always tell my kids that I missed old small trucks like the old SR-5s.
This appeals to the small length (~177 inches), EV, and DIY nature of the vehicle.

 

[AZFox]

Right to repair. What does that mean?

Right to repair refers to the legal right for consumers to modify and repair their own products, such as electronics and vehicles, without being restricted by manufacturers. It advocates for easier access to spare parts, tools, and repair information to promote sustainability and affordability.​

Right to repair is a thing, and it's a Big Deal. Go look it up.

Right to repair is just more internet buzzword.

Categorically false. See above.

I thought the consensus around here was less moving parts meant less maintenance and repair.

Indeed you're right about that.

The vast majority of maintenance and repair costs (and associated hassles) for ICE vehicles are related to the extra moving parts EVs don't have, and you know this.

Then Slate Truck goes further than that by excluding a lot of other Things That Could Possibly Go Wrong using an "as simple as possible, but not simpler" way of thinking.

Then they sweeten the deal even more by telling us they're intentionally engineering and designing a DIY-friendly vehicle with a support website with helpful tutorials, including videos.

But wait, there's more...

All the other manufacturers seem to be all in on building AI connected/tracking/data collection machines and that's a real turn off.

This too.

 

[sodamo]

Question Right to Repair? Just research John Deere stance.

 

[Trace26]

You're right. It's not the first thread they've derailed either.

Back on topic: The only other one I'd consider (outside of the previously mentioned ID.GTI) is whatever the next Chevy Bolt is. I doubt I'll be excited about it, but if its cheap and makes sense, it might be hard to look away from.

I was planning to buy the new bolt, if it looked decent and was a good price, but the Slate showed up. I can't imagine switching back, but we'll see.

 

[Letas]

Come on now, you don't need a lift table to do a pack swap. 90% of the time people just use a 2 post lift. You said you already have one, right? So no biggie. I'm also VERY curious about what EV you're looking at with a 4000 battery. A Model S battery is 1200lbs. The Renault Zoe has the same capacity battery as the Blank Slate, and that battery weighs 720 lbs. People swing in LS engines mated to a 6L80E all the time, which weighs about the same.

You continue to beat the drum about how EV maintenance is so scary and difficult and impractical. We get it. It's also irrelevant to this thread, right? Perhaps you should make your own thread about the impending doom of EV maintenance.

Lifting with an engine hoist vs dropping a battery is a much different story. "I can deadlift 305, so I should be able to bench it"

 

[Letas]

Need a computer ugrade?, the infotainment screen just went blank, one cell out of the 4000 or so in the pack died, one of your dual-motors is making a funny noise? . . .

Now your right about things like brake-pads, suspension, tires etc, maybe lights?
but MoPar do not make parts for Tesla's (or any other mainline EV I know of)

So yes, it does matter.

Slate will not have 4000 cells (i believe MYs have 7000+!) due to their pouch design- I'm guessing 150-200. But replacing an individual cell, while possible, is not an undergoing for 99%+ of mechanics. Replacing mods/packs, much more feasible.

 

[Dorbiman]

Lifting with an engine hoist vs dropping a battery is a much different story. "I can deadlift 305, so I should be able to bench it"

You’re right, not an apples to apples comparison. Still nowhere near 4,000 lbs (which is a funny number already, since that weighs more than the Slate Truck entirely). I don’t want to derail further, but if you’re interested, there are videos of people swapping larger packs than the Slate has in their driveway using jacks and jackstands.

 

[Letas]

You’re right, not an apples to apples comparison. Still nowhere near 4,000 lbs (which is a funny number already, since that weighs more than the Slate Truck entirely). I don’t want to derail further, but if you’re interested, there are videos of people swapping larger packs than the Slate has in their driveway using jacks and jackstands.

Very fair. I'm decently well versed, and could see the pack dropping being feasible for a half-intelligent DIYer, assuming they engineer it as such.

Back on topic. I'd say my competition is going to be a R2 or Equinox EV. Hoping post-tax credit going away, manufactures start to drop prices to lower than they currently are. The Slate is not the perfect vehicle for me (no vehicle is perfect for my needs, I'd say) but it does check enough boxes, I can overlook, depending on price.