Why do YOU want a Slate?

[SWwebos]

I was watching a video from InsideEV E70 where they were discussing the possible market types for the Slate pickup and am curious on why those of us who are members of this forum are interested in buying the Slate pickup.

For myself I drive a 2011 Kia Soul my wife drives a 2020 Hyundai Elantra I’m 76 and retired. Financially, we do OK but I don’t wanna go out and spend $50,000 on a pick up truck that won’t fit in my garage. I don’t need anything fancy.

I’d like the idea of an electric vehicle, I also want to a pickup that will fit in my garage,carry plywood, patio furniture, plants, potting soil and take me to SomeBurros for tacos and beer on Taco Tuesday (LandLubbers if I was still in Davie Florida) for that the Slate is almost perfect.

I would like to hear your thoughts.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Well I'm not quite sure I do want a Slate. Ask me again in June.

 

[SWwebos]

Well I'm not quite sure I do want a Slate. Ask me again in June.

What caused your interest i the beginning?

 

[GaRailroader]

For me, it is a much better version of my 2006 Ford Ranger single cab short bed that I owned for many years. I love EVs and am looking forward to having the utility of a small pick-up in an EV drivetrain.

 

[Shrink36s]

• Would like an EV, don’t want to support Musk, or pay the prices of most EVs offered today
• Could use a truck on a regular basis, only local things that are too big for my Equinox
• Do not want a full size truck with terrible gas mileage
• I am tired of all the extra BS in cars, especially the giant touch screens with no tactile ability to change things without looking
• I like the idea is supporting US manufacturing
• I like the customizations to make it my own.
• Affordable entry into EV

 

[bartflossom]

Sick and tired of the "Rube Goldberg Machine" that is an ICE drivetrain.

 

[fuzzyweis]

I have a 2000 Ford Ranger Electric and initially didn't sign up to reserve a Slate as my Ranger is fairly comparable on everything but power and range, and for small EV trucks power isn't super important. Basically this would be an upgraded version of what I have.

But, I'd like to sit in one, take a test drive and really compare, ideally drive my Ranger to and from wherever they have it available.

I've kinda got my 'butt groove' in the Ranger, it came with the sliding rear window, real column shifter, a bench seat, 2 speaker AM/FM radio, air conditioning, and the roll up windows. I put an aftermarket stereo and speakers that sound great, have carplay backup camera, and cd player, tonneau cover that rolls up or opens from the front of the bed, power windows, an aftermarket led cargo light/brake light on it, it's batteries have well paid off any environmental debt, and I can get over 40 miles out of them still, which is generally more than I need any single day. Also it's all paid for, insurance isn't bad, and if it wasn't for the NC EV fee and personalized plate registration would be less than $100 a year.

With the Slate, the base price is the base price, would need to redo several things over that I already did on the Ranger, stereo, speakers, power windows, tonneau, cargo light, all that's extra, and no bench seat or sliding rear window. It's not paid for, registration and insurance would be more. But it has a frunk, ac power in the frunk for power outage situations, fast charging, has nearly double the horsepower, is new so hopefully wouldn't break soon, and even the standard battery would have triple the range.

Also for a third the price of the Slate I could update the batteries on the Ranger, maybe less, and add fast charging while I'm at it, and I already have a 1500 watt inverter I could use with it.

So lots of pros and cons, ChatGPT said heck yeah keep the Ranger, but new and shiny is new and shiny. Oh also the Ranger paint is in a constant state of delamination, the Slate I could just rewrap it if need be.

-James

 

[TPL]

* inexpensive
* not big
* ev
* ease of repair/modifiability
* minimalist design philosophy

I don't actually need a truck, but nobody seems to be making this in any other form. Maybe the Slate 2 will be a 4 door hatchback.

 

[sodamo]

 

[BobSentMe]

I'll go:
My kids are at the age where they are driving, and I'm at the position of being able to give them the vehicles we've paid off (or will soon).

That leaves me with the need of a vehicle (other than my motorcycle). I'd like to haul groceries and things from home depot. A truck is IDEAL; a car is less so.
Therefore a blank Slate meets my needs and wants. We'll see about expectations.

That being said, I love the fact it's an American company, based near me, and hope they succeed.

 

[E90400K]

The manual roll up windows!

 

[atx_ev]

2010 tundra is too big at 230 inches (wife wont drive it, hard to park on city streets), starting to look for a new small truck. Want to pay less than 30K - basically santa cruz, maverick, and Slate

Want an EV so slate is the only choice.

 

[adele]

I get the sense a lot of people here are older and are looking at the Slate as a secondary car. I think I'm an outlier here. I'm in my twenties, and my hypothetical Slate would be my first real car purchase separate from my parents.

I was looking into new cars without an integrated touchscreen, and was surprised to find that there are zero options for that. So that's my primary reason for looking at Slate, but it just so happens to check almost all of my other preferences too.

• pickup truck
• electric
• crank windows
• compact

all of the above are my biggest preferences, so the existence of the Slate Truck is an absolute miracle for me. No competition (although I wish there was).

 

[KevinRS]

I think most cars now come with a touchscreen because they need some kind of screen for the backup camera, and so it's only a small step to a touchscreen and at least controlling the radio with it.

 

[Luxrage]

I think most cars now come with a touchscreen because they need some kind of screen for the backup camera, and so it's only a small step to a touchscreen and at least controlling the radio with it.

No moving parts either. One touchscreen can replace a whole HVAC control setup, heated seat switches, etc, all for the low low price of one 10'' tablet display! I liked the brief period where the backup cameras were integrated into the rearview mirrors.