$24,950 SLATE Truck News & Info

[fossil]

build me one with a ecoboost, either one

Sponsored

 

[RRaynor2]

I could see the USPS using these as local delivery vehicles to replace the ancient Grummans. Not sure the range would be sufficient but it looks like that type of vehicle to me.

 

[Carlitos_92]

I could see the USPS using these as local delivery vehicles to replace the ancient Grummans. Not sure the range would be sufficient but it looks like that type of vehicle to me.

Sadly, we got the platypus/whale thing instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV

 

[dn325ci]

I put $50 on it a few days ago. We currently have an EV and dig it. I'd be more interested in the larger ~84 kWh pack than the smaller one, which will of course cost more. We'll see.

 

[zen_]

Sadly, we got the platypus/whale thing instead.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_NGDV

It's a very ugly vehicle, but also solved many of the problems with the unique needs of a USPS delivery vehicle needing to carry large volumes of packages while also still delivering sorted first class mail to mailboxes. Couriers have liked this a lot more than the ancient LLVs and various vans.

 

[MavTime]

I'm considering getting one to put in back of the Maverick for when I'm on a trip and the CV axles blow out or the 12v battery dies. I kid, it is interesting, but I need the 4 doors for when I need them and can't have death trap back seats. Not sure about RWD either, but the small frunk could be nice if you are missing the back seat storage. I'd probably get the full shell version if I were to get one, at least it looks better than Maverick shells. The open back version is definitely a Suzuki Samurai without the 4WD, and I rode in the back of one of those on the freeway for over an hour and it wasn't ideal.

 

[Edge Haley]

Agreed - rear-wheel drive, no rear doors are a deal breaker for me too. Loved my Element but rarely had passengers in back seats, but the front driver or passenger had to get out of the Element to let someone get into the rear seats thru the suicide doors. Range of Maverick Hybrid is a big plus over the Slate. The Slate will probably progress during development.

 

[dn325ci]

I saw a piece where auto journalist John McElroy stated the primary demographic for Slate: "Their target customers are hourly wage earners, not early adopters. In fact, all the company’s advertising and marketing will be aimed at working class people, not tech geeks or EV advocates. The idea is to give those wage earners a brand-new vehicle, with the latest safety equipment and a full warranty, rather than force them into the used car market."

This was also a primary demographic for the Ford Maverick, too, though Maverick pricing has increased ~35% since 2022. If Slate can hit their cost/price targets, and the $7,500 EV credit remains in place, then the sub-20K pickup could be back on the table, but it does seem like a pretty tall task. We'll see.

 

[RRaynor2]

People who say "we / the grid don't have charging capacity to charge more electric cars" are unaware that there is more than enough grid generating power RIGHT NOW.

Car can be considered an appliance. Just like other appliances you plug in at home. They take more than a TV set and less than whole home air conditioning.

And power use has been flat for a long time. Weird. Look at which states are using the most power per person! NOT California where like 20% of the cars are EV right now!

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/images/2021.08.06/main.svg

Most generating station will beg you to use more power and even give discounts to use more power.

I agree that for "right now" we have enough power, but by 2045 California power generation will look much, much different. ~60% of current power is generated by fossil fuels and nuclear, both of which will be gone by 2045. That needs to be replaced, and expanded upon, by renewal energy. Renewables are not "dispatchable" and can't accommodate peak demand fluctuations. This creates the so called "duck curve" problem, that will get worse in the decades to come. Peak demand is in summer evenings, when most people are home and using the A/C. Solar and wind can't match the demand fluctuations like Gas/Nuclear can.

California will need a massive battery backup system to replace the stable, baseline requirements for power production that fossil/nuclear provide. In fact, the problem is so obvious that state leaders have been forced to rethink their nuclear stance. The math just doesn't math without stable, baseline power.

True, an EV is like another appliance. My math says it's more like 2.5 fridges if your commute is 15 miles one way and you recharge that every night and you drive the slate. Imagine every household in CA buying 2.5 more fridges and plugging them in. The big problem with EVs is that everyone will be charging around the same time, right when they get home. That's already peak power consumption. Matching that demand with non-dispatchable power generation is a big problem to solve. not impossible, but needs some serious consideration.

 

[The Real Maverick]

Or. Here's a thought. Have two EV batteries (or a home wall mounted equivalent).

Which is more practical (and safer?):

A city sized battery bank for load leveling, or a fridge sized battery bank in every home that can recharge either from home solar. Or off-peak grid power?

Also. EV's can be bi-directional. Called V2G. Vehicle to grid. Your car can give to the home during the peak (or a cloudy day) and take off peak.

 

[Carlitos_92]

The big problem with EVs is that everyone will be charging around the same time, right when they get home.

Scheduled charging.

I suspect “most” people aren’t going to burn through their entire battery every day, and could easily set their cars to start charging during off-peak hours.

I wouldn’t use our ridiculous Texas power grid as a shining example for much at all, but the utility providers here already incentivize off-peak use for residential customers. “Free nights and weekends” used to just be the slogan of cellular companies…

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Scheduled charging.

I suspect “most” people aren’t going to burn through their entire battery every day, and could easily set their cars to start charging during off-peak hours.

I wouldn’t use our ridiculous Texas power grid as a shining example for much at all, but the utility providers here already incentivize off-peak use for residential customers. “Free nights and weekends” used to just be the slogan of cellular companies…

I think the grid is doing really well considering well over 1000 more people per day are moving into Texas than are moving out. Plus very large number of commercial users also increasing usage. When you add 15% generating capacity in one year and usage increases more than that it's tough to keep up.

 

[RRaynor2]

Scheduled charging.

I suspect “most” people aren’t going to burn through their entire battery every day, and could easily set their cars to start charging during off-peak hours.

I wouldn’t use our ridiculous Texas power grid as a shining example for much at all, but the utility providers here already incentivize off-peak use for residential customers. “Free nights and weekends” used to just be the slogan of cellular companies…

That's a good point, but with only Solar and Wind (here in CA) in 2045 that could be difficult at 1am.

 

[Administrator]

Key Reasons: How Slate Can Build an EV Truck That Only Costs $27,000

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Scheduled charging.

I suspect “most” people aren’t going to burn through their entire battery every day, and could easily set their cars to start charging during off-peak hours.

I wouldn’t use our ridiculous Texas power grid as a shining example for much at all, but the utility providers here already incentivize off-peak use for residential customers. “Free nights and weekends” used to just be the slogan of cellular companies…

RE Texas Grid coming.....
https://www.texastribune.org/2025/02/24/texas-nuclear-power-advanced-reactor-abilene/

Sponsored