Who’s Reserving the Slate EV: Everyday Americans, Young Professionals, New Drivers, Contemporary Seniors, Auto Enthusiasts

[bloo]

I want a small and efficient two-door pickup truck.

I don't want an extra set of doors I will never use, therefore wasting space in my garage - or anywhere I need to park.

I don't want a vehicle so tall I need to climb in our out.

I don't want a vehicle that's so big I have to think too much about parking it.

I want a useable open bed for wood and furniture and dirty stuff.

I want weatherproof storage for groceries and other items that can't handle the elements.

I want a reasonably quick and nimble vehicle so I can enjoy my daily commute.

I don't want a giant vehicle that needs a turbo to pull away from a traffic light.

I'm not in the market specifically for an electric vehicle. Yet if I'm going to join the club, this is what I want to show up in.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

If ford had built an electric maverick instead of an electric f-150, I would probably own one even though I don't need the back seat.

 

[Johnologue]

If someone wants a low-priced EV sedan like the Prius why would they buy a 2-door, 2-seat pickup truck. One buys a pickup truck for the open bed and the utility that brings to the use case.

As someone who currently drives a compact hatchback and isn't a "truck person", the 2-door design and compact footprint of the Slate makes it much more appealing to me than it would be as a larger truck.

Though yes, I would also not consider the Prius an "EV" at all. There aren't many (any?) compact "economy" EVs that aren't sad, bulky crossovers though. The new Leaf is 4000 lbs and "hides" its bulk with overstyled blacked-out plastic.

against the 319-mile Equinox EV LT1 that is priced starting $33,600 and has 4-doors, paint and an audio system, especially when the Equinox requires zero DIY effort to be had as a painted SUV.

I will note that while I understand doors/audio (even though I think doors are an overstated issue and adding equivalent/better-than-factory audio should be relatively cheap), I'm incredibly confused and frustrated by paint being treated as a "missing feature" in discussions of the Slate.

I can't imagine anyone who goes shopping for cars thinking "oh, thank god all my options have PAINT. I would hate to be forced to consider a paintless car!"

Metal body panels need coating to avoid corrosion, and maintaining that coating against scrapes, sap, etc. is something to worry about more than anything.

Color can be appealing/expressive, but many cars have neutral paint colors, which makes them roughly equivalent to Slate's gray.

 

[ElectricShitbox]

As someone who currently drives a compact hatchback and isn't a "truck person", the 2-door design and compact footprint of the Slate makes it much more appealing to me than it would be as a larger truck.
...
Metal body panels need coating to avoid corrosion, and maintaining that coating against scrapes, sap, etc. is something to worry about more than anything.

I strongly agree with all the points you make here.

I rattle canned my old ford ranger flat black and never worried about scratches again.