$24,950 SLATE Truck News & Info

[TheSEARCH]

Federal law requires all new cars have a backup camera. So It does have to come with a screen. So far the pictures I have seen don't show a screen BUT do show a phone in a holder. I highly doubt a phone connected will meet this requirement assuming they have camera mounted in back. Not sure what size screen is required though. Could be a 2 inch screen, lol.

Still say if it was either gas or hybrid or even gas that charged battery like China BYD truck it would be much better choice. But if it sells great. Just not for me.

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[TedTX]

Interesting idea, but I don't see A/C on any listed item given here. Range is ok, charging speed too low. Price is too high for capacity. China can mass produce copycat for a few thousand. By 27 cheap electric trucks will be common.

 

[CurtisB]

Yes I put down 50 bucks and will trade my mav for it. Exactly what I've always wanted. This thing is exactly the same size as a 1984 toyota SR-5. You can covert it to a 5 passenger suv or hatchback. You can add electric windows, speakers, a tablet, lift kit, drop kit, precut wrap kits, and over a thousand factory made accessories. The body panels are like the Saturns of old, plastic with color infused all the way through. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any color you want, as long as it's gray.

My personal prediction is these will be everywhere like VW beetles were in the early 60's, or mini trucks in the 80's. It's perfect for 20 somethings just starting out, or retirees in the suburbs who just want a cheap second car to bring home mulch and an occasional sheet of plywood. Not to mention small businesses. And people like me who are just born auto tinkerers. I could have so much fun with this thing.

For those of you as old as me, remember when the J.C. Whitney catalog had about 20 pages dedicated to the VW Bug? This is going to be a people's car and the aftermarket for it will be huge.

I'm with you. The polymer body panels is the deal closer for me. Being able to wrap it if you want is great. Eventually, after market EV batteries will become available that will be able to extend miles per charge. I think the young market will jump on these as well as the older people such as myself who just want a simple truck to do small things with. And for those of us who like building our own car stereo systems, this vehicle leaves it all up to the owner!

Think about it! You can install whatever head unit you want. The speakers you want. The amplifier you want. I'm going to keep my eye on how well this truck works out. I bet this one does well.

 

[Edge Haley]

Yes I put down 50 bucks and will trade my mav for it. Exactly what I've always wanted. This thing is exactly the same size as a 1984 toyota SR-5. You can covert it to a 5 passenger suv or hatchback. You can add electric windows, speakers, a tablet, lift kit, drop kit, precut wrap kits, and over a thousand factory made accessories. The body panels are like the Saturns of old, plastic with color infused all the way through. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you can have any color you want, as long as it's gray.

My personal prediction is these will be everywhere like VW beetles were in the early 60's, or mini trucks in the 80's. It's perfect for 20 somethings just starting out, or retirees in the suburbs who just want a cheap second car to bring home mulch and an occasional sheet of plywood. Not to mention small businesses. And people like me who are just born auto tinkerers. I could have so much fun with this thing.

For those of you as old as me, remember when the J.C. Whitney catalog had about 20 pages dedicated to the VW Bug? This is going to be a people's car and the aftermarket for it will be huge.

I agree...my neighbor, (GA Tech professor), his wife senior Civil Engineer...and I know their annual income exceeds $350,000...both of them are daily drivers of Nisson LEAFS...with 120 mile range. They could afford about any car they want but are practical, wanted barebone vehicles, and are both on their 3rd set of Leafs. The majority of my neighbors are driving EV's (80% Tesla) and with current political environment many if not most are looking for a change from Tesla.

A very high percentage of people on this Maverick site like building and customizing their wheels..and this is a great name in "Slate" to make it what you want. And if Slate stays American made it will be a big attraction.

 

[Edge Haley]

I predict SLATE will go the way of the AMC Gremlin, Yugo, Scion, Saturn, and many other LOW cost vehicles. The old saying you get what you pay for. Plastic bodies were tried on the Fiero and failed miserably. Will they be a novelty? YES. Plus you have to use your smart phone to operate the truck. NO screen, no controls other than the hvac knobs.

It is so easy to add CarPlay to almost any vehicle..cost of screen in the $140 range+an Iphone.
I added a screen, Bose speakers and Carplay to the motorcycle and I have a hard time traveling without Carplay and GoogleMap GPS on it. I can see a lot of people with something like a Slate as a secondary vehicle...low cost, weekend projects, or low milage commutes.

 

[Scott Asheville]

One thing announced this week - Walmart is building an onsite charging network nationwide (in those huge Walmart parking lots). They expect to have coverage at most of their stores by the end of the decade. So that's 30,000 or so stalls coming in the next five years. There is a Walmart within ten miles of 90% of American citizens.

That matters, because a huge portion of Americans live in apartments, condos, etc - and have no access to home chargers.

 

[Edge Haley]

A screen is a slave device. you need software and computing speed. If an auto without a controller was so easy why is BEZOS the first to try to sell it? It literally has no dashboard. I'm old and never use carplay. To each their own but I promise this will not last if it stays stripped down because Americans like goodies. And once that 7500 tax credit puts it over 30k stripped bye bye SLATE. Slate is a very brittle rock so easily shattered, lol.

The Iphone is one of the most powerful computers invented in the last 20 years...and plenty of software. Carplay's on existing Mavericks is all dealt with by an Iphone or Android phone's computer.
Many if not most high end luxary cars (Toyota, Porsche, BWM, Cadillac, etc now provide a radio with CarPlay capability - eliminating the need to add GPS units into a car.

As far a charging - wife's EV charge at home is roughly $3.80 of electricity and that's usually a full day of travel...the vast majority of people with EV's charge at home...But today there are more EV charging plug-ins than gas pumps. Most are not that visible until you Google for EV stations, then you will see them everywhere...especially shopping centers and office complexes. The Federal Gov gives significant tax incentives for companies who provide EV charging stations...mostly for environmental benefits.

 

[riparian]

Federal law requires all new cars have a backup camera. So It does have to come with a screen. So far the pictures I have seen don't show a screen BUT do show a phone in a holder. I highly doubt a phone connected will meet this requirement assuming they have camera mounted in back. Not sure what size screen is required though. Could be a 2 inch screen, lol.

Still say if it was either gas or hybrid or even gas that charged battery like China BYD truck it would be much better choice. But if it sells great. Just not for me.

My understanding is that the small speedometer/instrument cluster screen is also used to display the back up camera output .

The Slate wouldn't meet my current needs, but I bet it will appeal to a lot of people. My opinion is that EVs in all sorts of sizes and configurations will become a bigger and bigger part of the transportation landscape, and I'm glad to see companies (particularly American companies) trying lots of new ideas. Some of these ideas will turn out to be useful and commercially viable and will stick, others will be tried and discarded. The most important thing is that companies keep innovating.

 

[The Real Maverick]

I love my 2023 Mav Lariat Hybrid but Slate could make sense for me even with 150 mile range. My employer supplies us with free electricity for charging. Some of our employees bought Teslas even though they live in apartments with no chargers available. On the other hand I also bought a 2024 Prius but not the Prime PHEV since at $5000 additional cost even with free charging at work the break even was over ten years with an 8 mile commute. On yet another hand I paid $40,000 for my Mav because I like all the options and Lux stuff and can afford it so I am sure I would not be happy with the striped down Slate.

Yes.

People don't understand how and why employers (at least big ones) give free charging. It is commonplace.

You see, rates commercial establishments pay is half of what residential customers pay. Sometimes one-third per kWH hour that residents pay. BECAUSE THEY BUY MEGA-watt hours. They buy in bulk. They get much cheaper rates. It's a buck or two to charge your car. A drop in the bucket.

On the same level as free coffee and bottled water in the break room.

Plus good PR for them.

I drove my Bolt EV 60,000 miles.
The only electricity I paid for was on long trips. I spent less than $1000 on "fuel" for 60,000 miles.
I never charged at home in 6 years.

Winner winner chicken dinner

 

[GaryTerry]

Maybe get one to put in the bed of my Maverick incase it breaks down, I'll still have a ride home.

 

[The Real Maverick]

If they put in chargers that was smart. 3 phase 480 is lower cost to charge than 120v outlet. I predict that once the IRS realizes companies are providing free charging they will make the employer tax it as income to the user. Unfortunately I see a class action suit in the future that this violates fair labor laws by discrimination against employees of ICE vehicles. Some lawyer will take it up for employees of ALL businesses who do not get their fuel paid for. It's nice your employer did it but as you say they already have to limit it to 4 hours. So if 30 people drive EVs they will limit it to 2 hours, then lost production for people swapping cars at the charger. On a small scale it works. If it was an employer with 1000 employees, maybe not.

Facebook has like 180 charging stalls in their parking lot. Google
has well over 200 charging stalls.

New start-up has changed the paradigm.

New concept is "bring your own cord".
New concept is just putting in a post with an outlet. Not too different than a parking meter.

Less equipment for employer to buy.
No exposed copper wire for people to steel or vandalize. (And the socket can have a locked metal cover.)
Very little to maintain.

Cities are putting in street level charging ports along side of parking meters. City dwellers, apartment dwellers will be able to charge anywhere they park.

California has more electric chargers than gas stations RIGHT NOW.

There will always be two types.
There is a need for two types.
Slower 240 VAC that are more gentle on your batteries that you use 95% of the time. Let's face it. Most cars are PARKED 95% of the time.

There is a need for FAST CHARGERS.
600 VDC. These are harsh on your battery but will recharge your ride on long trips in 15 to 45 minutes. You gotta eat and pee and most cars will go 5 hours highway between charges. China has a prototype right now that recharges in 5 minutes.

 

[bartflossom]

For all the haterz... (just a joke, don't cancel me)

 

[The Real Maverick]

For all the haterz... (just a joke, don't cancel me)

Right.

about 1965 IBM said the world will need six, maybe eight mainframe computers.

1975 "we'll never need more than 25 Burger King Locations."

1995 "Amazon is going to sell books online. And music."

 

[bartflossom]

Right.

about 1965 IBM said the world will need six, maybe eight mainframe computers.

1975 "we'll never need more than 25 Burger King Locations."

1995 "Amazon is going to sell books online. And music."

And don't forget Xerox, whose employees came up with the graphical operating system, and the execs said, "nobody wants to use something called a "mouse""

 

[Administrator]

Lots of good info revealed during the press event.

Watch: Slate Truck Official Reveal - Press Event Stream

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