Slate EV Pickup

[JeffKeryk]

According to a recent Doug Demuro video if the tax rebate goes away the slate will cost as much as a Ford Maverick. At that rate it wonder be competitive especially if you have to install accessories on the slate yourself.

That will take the wind outta their sales. The market for this truck would seem to be entry level customers. Guess they'll hafta step up to a loaded F-150?
It will still be a low priced vehicle, with prices as crazy as they are nowadays... The problem I see with this truck is, entry level buyers often live in apartments, which are not the best place to charge your EV. We'll see. I would have at least made it a king cab, with jump seats.

 

[97prizm]

That will take the wind outta their sales. The market for this truck would seem to be entry level customers. Guess they'll hafta step up to a loaded F-150?
It will still be a low priced vehicle, with prices as crazy as they are nowadays... The problem I see with this truck is, entry level buyers often live in apartments, which are not the best place to charge your EV. We'll see. I would have at least made it a king cab, with jump seats.

The other issue is that the base truck only has 150 mile range the 240-250 mile truck is more expensive. 150 mile range was good/acceptable in what 2010 not in 2025.

 

[JeffKeryk]

The other issue is that the base truck only has 150 mile range the 240-250 mile truck is more expensive. 150 mile range was good/acceptable in what 2010 not in 2025.

Entry level is entry level. If this truck is used around town, and the owner can charge at home with 240V, the low range can work. 150 mile rating is probably 125 at best, especially if you charge to 80%. Battery degredation is worst in the 1st year... Prospective buyers need to understand this stuff before writing that check!

Living with EV range is easy for the right use case. Now if you are driving more than 100 miles daily on a regular basis, it could be the wrong vehicle for you. I charge to 75% which Is plenty for general use.

 

[RhondaHonda]

- Hopefully Slate can tap into the Amazon logistics chain, that would be Huuuuuge, not just for parts/accessory delivery, economies of scale [discounted buying power], but also 1st mile flow of components into the final assembly point

- Don't think I've read about financing.... Real world most buyers, especially those shopping at this price point will need financing. They will NEED something very competitive, like the majors. I can see them linking up with Affirm or PayPal, but those guys will want higher rates that car buyers are used to...

- I saw a modest delivery fee and only "Retail" stores like Tesla... Does that mean we will avoid the highway robbery dealer "Processing Fees"? They are insane now, close to $1k in the DC area... This needs to be shouted from the mountain tops. $1k is a lot of money to just toss a dealer.... This could sway someone who is on the bubble.

Amazon has enough cash to easily start their own financing arm if the wanted to help Slate get going. I’m hoping this thing can really be sold for $27,000 before tax credits. If that’s the case, I think it will do well and getting lenders on board won’t be an issue.

 

[64Deluxe]

I’ve always had a thing for small trucks, and while I don’t know a ton about EVs and never much cared to own one (so far), it’s objectively nice to see someone building a cheap, small, no-frills pickup, not something that costs 6 digits before credits.

My daily driver is a 2001 S-10, a 2.2 with manual transmission, windows, and locks, and I like it that way. I also appreciate the fact that it’s flex fuel, and where I am in CA, E-85 can easily be had for >$2/gal less than gas.

The Slate truck is the first EV I’ve ever seen that interests me. I like the no-frills, no-nonsense aspect of it, and in my neck of the woods, the cost-per-mile would definitely be better than an ICE truck, as I average about 20MPG in my truck on E-85. The Slate is very appealing to me on paper.

If these can get out the door for <$20,000 after credits, I’d definitely think about it. I’ll have to wait until (if ever) these have been out for a few years and see how things look. Hope this ends up well.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

That will take the wind outta their sales. The market for this truck would seem to be entry level customers. Guess they'll hafta step up to a loaded F-150?
It will still be a low priced vehicle, with prices as crazy as they are nowadays... The problem I see with this truck is, entry level buyers often live in apartments, which are not the best place to charge your EV. We'll see. I would have at least made it a king cab, with jump seats.

Well Doug is a master of click bait. Take whatever he says and belive a part of it

 

[97prizm]

Well Doug is a master of click bait. Take whatever he says and belive a part of it

Slate even said they're looking at $27,000 including the $7,500 tax credit. If that goes away then $35,500 doesn't seem very appealing or competitive.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Slate even said they're looking at $27,000 including the $7,500 tax credit. If that goes away then $35,500 doesn't seem very appealing or competitive.

That’s not correct. Right from the Slate site:

 

[JeffKeryk]

Slate even said they're looking at $27,000 including the $7,500 tax credit. If that goes away then $35,500 doesn't seem very appealing or competitive.

Agree, but everything is so expensive now; what's a poor boy to do?
We will just hafta see what happens. Glad I am not in the market...

 

[Speedbird001]

... everything is so expensive now ...

You are not kidding... I was at the Toyota dealer yesterday for an inspection and a few parts.... Holly Cow

- Base Tacoma, I'm talking a fleet spec; 2 door, 2wd, zero options, steel wheels for $32k (Plus fees)
- High end Tundra (Not the Pro or Hybrid Ltd): $72k
- Prius: $34k
- While waiting, I overheard service advisor quoting some poor guy: $1,300 (Plus fees) for front/rear pads/rotors!

Bonus':
- 3.5% "Shop Fee" on labor (Seems like a-lot for break-clean and red rags?)
- Using a Credit card? = + 3%
- "Processing / Dealer Fee" on car sales = $989

 

[97prizm]

Agree, but psssst. The thing is so expensive now; what's a poor boy to do?
We will just hafta see what happens. Glad I am not in the market...

A poor boy sheesh, come on. The big issue is that they expect the owner to install aftermarket parts if they order them at a later date. Some won't mind but I highly suspect that many owners aren't up for installing extras after delivery.