Slate EV Pickup

Needs to be a king cab. You can't leave anything is the bed of a PU anymore.
As an option, that's fair - but I think if you make the bed any shorter than 5', that would pass the tipping point between having the option to grab sheet goods from Home Depot or not. Depends on the use case for the overall market, I suppose.

Adding a bed cover to my truck has made me more comfortable about leaving things in the bed while I run into the store - so long as losing those items wouldn't be a catastrophe. If the day comes that someone pops the cover open with a pry bar to get my propane tank, I'll have to come to terms with that.
 
I like the concept of a less expensive, "stripper" EV - but RWD only is a deal breaker for me. If I lived somewhere that didn't see ice, snow, or any of the other conditions that make AWD desirable, I'd be interested.

And yes, I've driven multiple RWD (and FWD) vehicles in the winter and survived to tell the tale. AWD is objectively better in those conditions, if all else is equal.

Especially with how "easy', mechanically it is to do AWD with EVs. I bet if it comes out it will get an AWD option eventually.

I feel like most EV owners aren't going to be the type to put sandbags in the back for extra weight. My daily driver / winter rat is RWD and it works great.
 
Good manufacturing info/insight from Autoline.

 
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Slate, a new EV company, just unveiled their first truck. Funded by Jeff Bezos, apparently. www.slate.auto

Designed to be very basic, and highly customizable.
RWD only
Under $20k after Federal Rebate
Made in USA
No infortainment screen
No speakers
Manual windows
J3400 charge port
150 miles range, upgradable to 240 miles
Payload around 1,400 lbs
Towing around 1,000 lbs
Only comes in Grey and designed to be easily vinyl wrapped.
Optional “SUV kit”
20-80% DCFC around 30 minutes.
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Looks eerily alot like the ford Maverick and Bronco Sport. 150 miles of range is useless especially in Really hot or cold climates. Even 240 is on the low side. So it's the current generation of Model T? Offered in Gray, gray or gray? I'm curious how the specs will change after epa, NHTSA crash testing?
 
I kind of like the Idea. there are Literally ZERO options. every one they build will be the same. simplify the build process.
that's not even paint! it's bare Gray/Grey Plastic body panels. and not only is there no Infotainment screen, there's not even a radio, or speakers, save the one for the bips and bongs for the "safety equipment"

Meant to be Customizable by the end user, and they will eventually sell a "bolt on kit" that changes it to a small SUV, even adding crash structure/integrated roll bars, but you lose the bed in doing so.

and the price is only $20k(or less) if the Current Govt EV incentives don't get squashed. they're built into that price point.
"ONLY 150 Mi of Range???" most people drive 40 miles or less per day. plug it in when you get home, or every other day, you'll never need to worry about it for the most part... just don't plan on making it your road trip vehicle.

they're apparently taking Pre-Orders, but you only have to put $50 down to reserve your slot... not $1000 like some others...
 
So it's priced the same as a Maverick, maybe a little bit less. Do we have some proof here that EVs can be cheaper than an equivalent gas vehicle?

Love it. Will prepare to buy one.
 
I saw a quick video; it has a frunk for storage. I would still like to see at least jumper rear seats...

Is this what the Cybertruk shoulda been? Asking for a friend...
 
Back seats without 4 doors is kinda meh. But I get the reto aspect. Cool truck and all but I can't see why you'd want to buy this over a Maverick hybrid. They are listed for mid 20s around me
 
This is the size of a 1985 Toyota truck and oddly the payload is higher that the towing capacity. Predict guys will immediately double the purchase price with all options, a wrap, etc.

The Toyota had a longer bed. I wish they made this thing longer.

Just my opinion, but most people would be happy to pay an extra grand for a vehicle with some sort of basic audio & smartphone connection system. And power windows. Two power windows could cost something like $50 at OE prices.
 
Sandy Munro just did a video on it. If he says it's solid, it probably is. But then again I really trust that fully once they actually get on in their hands and tear it apart. 👍
 
My commute is 30 miles round trip. School for both boys is about the same. Wife is 8 miles round trip. One of us could use it daily as a commuter as we all travel alone. If it was AWD for the winter, it would make a good first foray into EV vehicles for our family.
 
The Toyota had a longer bed. I wish they made this thing longer.

Just my opinion, but most people would be happy to pay an extra grand for a vehicle with some sort of basic audio & smartphone connection system. And power windows. Two power windows could cost something like $50 at OE prices.

There are going to be accessories available. You can switch out your crank windows for power windows. The vehicle has been designed to fix/upgrade yourself with a minimum of mechanical knowledge/ability. They will even let owners do their own warranty work.
 
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