The price is right, and the esthetics appear to be good, but will its EV range satisfy potential customers?
https://insideevs.com/features/799969/slate-ev-first-ride-impressions/
150 mile range or 240 miles depending on the battery you choose. Not bad
But the RWD layout robs the truck of lots of regen potential they could have gotten if it was FWD. 70% of the braking could come from the front but there is no motor/generator to collect it.
So what is the market for this? Pool guys?
In my area, the pool guys go for old small trucks. They have enough bed space for tools and chemicals with trailers to mess with. Since those old, small trucks are nearly gone, now I see small cars or minivans pulling little trailers. A $25K entry point might be a bit stiff for the newbies but an established pool guy might be able to swing that.
The next market might be suburban commuters with a DIY desire. For gardeners, the bed is fine. For most any other DIYer, a 4x8 sheet of plywood or 8 ft 2x4s will hang about 15 inches past an open tailgate. OK if tied down. Overall it might be a bit sparse for the average commuters desires.
We shall see how this plays out!
That’s the criticism I’ve seen in reviews. Lots of folks say they want bare bones, but when it comes to buying, they usually go for the power windows, etc. Once those options are added it stops being so cheap.
We’ve had lots of discussions here in the past about that very point… And I agree completely!
Buyers don’t choose the bare bones model, they go for the upgrades… or a bigger, fancier truck!
If I was in that market today I’d probably get a 34 mpg Maverick hybrid instead. Plenty of new ones near me for under $30k. I’d wait 5 years or so to see if Slate survives.
I have not seen too many Mavericks. A few but not many.
Bronco Sports (same chassis) are flying off the lots. I see lots of those.
Same here, Bronco Sports are common. But there’s a Maverick I see pretty often.
Pre-orders don’t always translate into actual sales, correct?
Seems a little too small to be taking on trips to pick up lumber, haul away junk and so forth
The range isn’t enough for a daily driver
And very few people actually buy such a strippo vehicle, last time I checked
I’m not sure who the target market is?
Definitely not suitable to be dropping the kids off at school
Also the wrong vehicle for weekend family trips to the state park
Doing a simple google search the ONLY vehicles that still have hand crank windows is the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.
And, now, the Slate.
Yeah I suspect a limited market for such an animal. Most people need a vehicle to fit a variety of needs and don’t have multiple vehicles for special needs. I can fit an eight foot 2x4 in my car and close the trunk. Plywood will fit on the trailer just fine. So I’m out on this one regardless of cost.
This looks like a new vehicle that I would actually be willing to drive. Especially if it could be charged with a standard electrical outlet. I hope this catches on, and succeeds.
Level 1 adds 2% charge/hrs. 40hrs to charge
Level 2 would be at least 2hrs
Level 3 goes from 20% to 80% in 30min. Tesla charger compatibility with adapter for others.
Level 1 would not suit commuter use (40 hours!?). Level 2 would.
For my last job before retirement, that 150 mile range would be pushing it on some days. The 240 mile would remove any range anxiety.
I have level 3 electrify America close enough to handle weekly needs and very soon access to level2 in the church parking lot but really would only need a top up if at all. Several level2 options around town. Going to my brothers would require a charge stop going home with many ev’s being 160mi away. Could charge nearby where we stay up there on level 2
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During the work week, I rarely drive a personal vehicle, except maybe for a short trip to buy groceries or drop something off at the post office. I put about 30,000 miles on my company truck each year, but we only put about 6,000 miles per year on all our vehicles put together. So it sounds like the recharging time from a standard electrical outlet would be adequate for my needs.
When I concider what you are not getting with this price the Slate just does not seem like a bargain to me.
What are you “not getting” which you actually need? Other than an audio system, which I would certainly want, what exactly is missing?
Compared to a Maverick XLT, the list is long. How about a rear seat to start? Electric windows? This guy wasn’t too impressed:
I Briefly Rode In The Slate Truck, And It’s Gonna Be A No From Me, Dog
Note that they’ve changed the battery, single 205 mile range battery is the only way to go.
I just read that Jalopnik article
It actually seems like a REALLY bad deal at the price