What will the chemistry be on the standard range battery?

[MiketheCarGeek]

SK On "currently" only manufactures NMC in the U.S. although they have different mixtures, Slate could use a Mid-Nickel chemistry with lower amounts of expensive Nickel and Cobalt - although with less energy density (ex. NMC 631 = 60% Nickel, 30% Manganese, 10% Cobalt).

HOWEVER... the Detroit Free Press (their long-time auto reporter) states that Slate will use LFP?
I think this is an error... or he spoke to someone and let this slip.
https://www.freep.com/story/money/c...-details-mid-20s-electric-pickup/90492827007/

LFP Batteries are not widely manufactured in the U.S. right now.
Chevy Bolt gets their Cells from China (CATL) assembled into a Pack in the U.S.
Rivian gets their Cells from Gotion (China) assembled into a Pack in the U.S.
LG Energy, Samsung SDI and SK On are all working to introduce LFP Cells for EVs.
LG Energy makes LFP for Grid Storage in the U.S., which is a different design than EVs.
Ford will ramp up production later this year at their Michigan plant with a CATL design... but I doubt they would sell them to Slate.

 

[kvermeer]

interesting, this video claims lfp:

Check the username of the post you're responding to. Then check the username of the YouTube video creator.

It's not new info, Mike is just taking the Mark Phelan/ the DFP at their word.

 

[GaRailroader]

Pretty exciting. This is gonna be a long 9 more days.

 

[kvermeer]

[

Pretty exciting. This is gonna be a long 9 more days.

8 more days and some 16 hours! Your countdown is off!

Nonetheless I do feel like these guys: https://xkcd.com/915/

We're snobby Slate connoisseurs locked into this forum.

 

[cadblu]

We have all been lead to believe that the battery chemistry will be NMC based on what we’ve seen in the news media, interviews, and videos, yet there is absolutely no mention of the proposed battery chemistry anywhere on the Slate.Auto website since day one. They only disclose that there will be a standard and extended range option, and there’s no changes possible after the truck leaves the factory.

I find it interesting that many folks here are dismissing the latest switch to LFP because it’s coming from “unofficial” sources. I consider Slate.Auto as the official documented source, and the omission of LFP / NMC is kind of a huge oversight in my opinion.

 

[Mac-Tyson]

It’s

We have all been lead to believe that the battery chemistry will be NMC based on what we’ve seen in the news media, interviews, and videos, yet there is absolutely no mention of the proposed battery chemistry anywhere on the Slate.Auto website since day one. They only disclose that there will be a standard and extended range option, and there’s no changes possible after the truck leaves the factory.

I find it interesting that many folks here are dismissing the latest switch to LFP because it’s coming from “unofficial” sources. I consider Slate.Auto as the official documented source, and the omission of LFP / NMC is kind of a huge oversight in my opinion.

It’s less dismissing and more not trying to get hopes up until there’s concrete confirmation.

 

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

Well, Mike confirmed it with the author of that Detroit Free Press article-says it came from the CEO, so…

 

[Adam W]

Well, Mike confirmed it with the author of that Detroit Free Press article-says it came from the CEO, so…

In a court of law, that would be called "hearsay."

We've been playing this game of telephone for over a year now, where something gets mis-heard or mis-understood, and a press outlet runs with the "scoop." Not saying that Mike or the Detroit Free Press got it wrong, but a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted until it's officially stated. We'll know for sure in -- checks countdown timer -- 8 days, 11 hours.

 

[Revenant89]

We have all been lead to believe that the battery chemistry will be NMC based on what we’ve seen in the news media, interviews, and videos, yet there is absolutely no mention of the proposed battery chemistry anywhere on the Slate.Auto website since day one. They only disclose that there will be a standard and extended range option, and there’s no changes possible after the truck leaves the factory.

I find it interesting that many folks here are dismissing the latest switch to LFP because it’s coming from “unofficial” sources. I consider Slate.Auto as the official documented source, and the omission of LFP / NMC is kind of a huge oversight in my opinion.

They did state they were using an NMC pouch from SK On. But that was before the tax credit went away. Which means they are no longer bound to a US sourced battery.

 

[EV Trek]

We have all been lead to believe that the battery chemistry will be NMC based on what we’ve seen in the news media, interviews, and videos, yet there is absolutely no mention of the proposed battery chemistry anywhere on the Slate.Auto website since day one. They only disclose that there will be a standard and extended range option, and there’s no changes possible after the truck leaves the factory.

I find it interesting that many folks here are dismissing the latest switch to LFP because it’s coming from “unofficial” sources. I consider Slate.Auto as the official documented source, and the omission of LFP / NMC is kind of a huge oversight in my opinion.

This is what Slate told me just today:
“As for the battery chemistry question, I've seen some of the discussion online as well. At this time, I don't have any new information to share beyond what has already been communicated through Slate's official channels. If there are any updates to vehicle specifications, Slate will communicate them directly through official channels.

Thanks again for reaching out, and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions!

Best,

Katelyn || Slate Agent Team 🚗💫”

Anyway charging to 80% with the larger battery will still give more range than the standard battery charged to 100% if the current estimated ranges stay as they are. 192 miles on the large battery at 80% vs 150 on the standard battery at 100%, then you can always charge the larger battery up to 90 or 100% when you absolutely need more range.

 

[GaRailroader]

Something tells me that Mark Phelan got a call from Slate Auto today.

 

[sodamo]

This is what Slate told me just today:
“As for the battery chemistry question, I've seen some of the discussion online as well. At this time, I don't have any new information to share beyond what has already been communicated through Slate's official channels. If there are any updates to vehicle specifications, Slate will communicate them directly through official channels.

Thanks again for reaching out, and please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any other questions!

Best,

Katelyn || Slate Agent Team 🚗💫”

Anyway charging to 80% with the larger battery will still give more range than the standard battery charged to 100% if the current estimated ranges stay as they are. 192 miles on the large battery at 80% vs 150 on the standard battery at 100%, then you can always charge the larger battery up to 90 or 100% when you absolutely need more range.

Maybe not what we’d like to read, but the only true answer. 6/24

 

[cadblu]

Something tells me that Mark Phelan got a call from Slate Auto today.

Perhaps Mark thought nobody would notice? Did he misquote the CEO, or was it in fact a simple mistake? Nevertheless, I think he underestimated the enthusiasm in this community.

 

[GaRailroader]

Perhaps Mark thought nobody would notice? Did he misquote the CEO, or was it in fact a simple mistake? Nevertheless, I think he underestimated the enthusiasm in this community.

Perhaps it was intentional on Slate’s part. A leak to a local publication to HQ that is not an automotive journal. It took 2 days for someone on the forum to notice it and post a link. Then Mike the Car Geek authenticates it and creates YouTube video. It is being talked about here as well as on the Slate FB groups. It is generating a lot of hype.

Remember that before the unveiling in 4/24/2025 they had all these mysterious Slates with different wraps parked in Long Beach, CA and let the public find them like Easter eggs?

If it wasn’t true I would think Detroit Free Press would have been contacted to correct the misinformation as well as Mike with the YouTube video.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

Perhaps it was intentional on Slate’s part. A leak to a local publication to HQ that is not an automotive journal. It took 2 days for someone on the forum to notice it and post a link. Then Mike the Car Geek authenticates it and creates YouTube video. It is being talked about here as well as on the Slate FB groups. It is generating a lot of hype.

Remember that before the unveiling in 4/24/2025 they had all these mysterious Slates with different wraps parked in Long Beach, CA and let the public find them like Easter eggs?

If it wasn’t true I would think Detroit Free Press would have been contacted to correct the misinformation as well as Mike with the YouTube video.

OH I'm sure they would have clarified it by now if it wasn't true