Wouldn't it be awesome to get the EV credit now?

[Daemoch]

I am trying to understand the thought process going around saying this vehicle is "designed to be worked on". Cosmetic and accessories, yes, it seems it will be easy- but mechanically? EVs are quite the opposite of that. Batteries are NOT designed to be worked on by any means, and generally just get recalled or replaced if there are issues. Even a top-notch youtube technician can not fix a PCB or isolation fault. And the battery is going to make up a majority of the cost on this machine...

EVs are sooooo much simpler. Simple? eh....no, holistically. But simpler? oh yes. You're just not used to them is all. Maybe thats part of the issue? There's so little there to work on that it seems like it must be a 'black box' - its not. Theres just not that much to them. Youre used to seeing a lot of things inside moving in a 'motor' not just coils of wire. :/ And yes, you CAN rebuild those, too.

Batteries are a bit more of a thing, sure. But I break down and rebuild packs all the time. Theres literally 2 in my shop right now in various states of dis/assembly. It can be done. Usually I recycle the old ones, and just like you would get a credit for a 'core charge' for a traditional alternator or starter, I trade mine in. They get processed (chemically/physically) and what can be reused gets reused. Youre not going to try and tell me that repairing a starter or alternator isnt possible, are you? Technically, Ford and Toyota and everyone else will tell you the alternator is a non-serviceable part too. Same with the 12v Lead Acid battery, IAC solenoid, fuel pump, and basically every other individual component. And we rebuild all those, or we trade them in for a 'core charge' so some other guy can rebuild them (like me). If you had any idea how many ECUs I've repaired or modified in my life time so far... And those are sealed up and buried in epoxy usually; definitely NOT intended to be a 'serviceable' part....but still serviced!

Which reminds me, if you cant "fix a PCB or isolation fault".....you need to set down the keyboard and think real hard about what you just said and maybe reconsider projecting your own capabilities and limitations on to other people. And your ability to search YouTube apparently; there's literally thousands of videos that can teach you that stuff. Thats the whole point of a Slate truck - we can each do it 'our way' as much or as little as we are capable of.

 

[sodamo]

EVs are sooooo much simpler. Simple? eh....no, holistically. But simpler? oh yes. You're just not used to them is all. Maybe thats part of the issue? There's so little there to work on that it seems like it must be a 'black box' - its not. Theres just not that much to them. Youre used to seeing a lot of things inside moving in a 'motor' not just coils of wire. :/ And yes, you CAN rebuild those, too.

Batteries are a bit more of a thing, sure. But I break down and rebuild packs all the time. Theres literally 2 in my shop right now in various states of dis/assembly. It can be done. Usually I recycle the old ones, and just like you would get a credit for a 'core charge' for a traditional alternator or starter, I trade mine in. They get processed (chemically/physically) and what can be reused gets reused. Youre not going to try and tell me that repairing a starter or alternator isnt possible, are you? Technically, Ford and Toyota and everyone else will tell you the alternator is a non-serviceable part too. Same with the 12v Lead Acid battery, IAC solenoid, fuel pump, and basically every other individual component. And we rebuild all those, or we trade them in for a 'core charge' so some other guy can rebuild them (like me). If you had any idea how many ECUs I've repaired or modified in my life time so far... And those are sealed up and buried in epoxy usually; definitely NOT intended to be a 'serviceable' part....but still serviced!

Which reminds me, if you cant "fix a PCB or isolation fault".....you need to set down the keyboard and think real hard about what you just said and maybe reconsider projecting your own capabilities and limitations on to other people. And your ability to search YouTube apparently; there's literally thousands of videos that can teach you that stuff. Thats the whole point of a Slate truck - we can each do it 'our way' as much or as little as we are capable of.

Agreed, but I think the pervasive mindset is things are replaceable, not repairable. Many of use grew up in the repairable era. We need return to that thinking.

 

[brian10x]

Agreed, but I think the pervasive mindset is things are replaceable, not repairable. Many of use grew up in the repairable era. We need return to that thinking.

I hope the day comes where its possible to rebuild a battery pack like the Slate has.

Or, as an alternative, I read that in China, they have an automated kiosk like building where you can drive in, have your battery automatically swapped, and be on your way, fully charged in a few minutes.

 

[KevinRS]

Part of the issue with most vehicles now, is they are trying to make them less and less repairable. Even a brake job with some cars and trim levels, you've got to connect to the computer and tell it to retract the rear calipers. Not every shop has the hardware and expensive software update to do that on every car.
My car has a CVT, it's worked no problem 10 years over 100k miles, now I'm told the pump in it is going out, $7k for a new transmission. With the new transmission in it there is no way I could sell it for 7k. So now I am driving it until it fails, if it lasts until I can get a slate, that is my plan, if not I'll have to come up with something else.