Slate - Customizable Electric Truck

[BigDill]

I have been reading about the Slate electric truck that is getting some serious coverage after a launch event today. It’s a small, 2-door extremely basic electric truck. The expected release is end of 2026.

The concept, from what I can gather, is to make a small, utilitarian electric truck. In fact that’s how it gets its name - a blank slate. From there, you can add everything from different armrest panels or front light covers, to a beck seat in the back with a hard top to seat 5 with airbags and everything. According to the promotional info, the upgrades will be DIY friendly, but there will also be a network of service providers to install any upgrades and modifications. Color is slate gray, becuase it’s composite. If you want a different color, you buy and install a vinyl wrap.

The specs are interesting:

Expected base price: $27,500, so $20,00 after federal ev credit (assuming it sticks around).

Range: Base - 150 miles, Extended - 240 miles.

0-60: a sluggish 8 seconds. Top speed is 90 mph.

Roll up windows, no radio, no infotainment system, no frills. It’s a truck straight out of the 90s. I am intrigued by this tiny truck. I don’t need a full size and having something like this as a third car would be convenient. I could also drive it to work a few days a week to same on gas and mileage on my current daily. It would be perfect for a quick run to the golf course or range. Or Costco.

What do you all think? It’s certainly not for everyone. But I love the idea.

SLATE

SLATE Auto | The Customizable EV That Works for You

www.slate.auto

 

[checkered]

That is pretty trippy. Seems like a solid little vehicle and especially so for an ev truck at that price. Interesting.

 

[blugold]

An EV truck that looks like a truck... awesome.

 

[leftybob]

I’m super into the concept. The American market needs small cheap pickup trucks. Look at how well the ford maverick has sold. There is a lot of demand for this type of vehicle.

 

[Browndog]

Read about this yesterday and was intrigued enough to learn more.

 

[V14_Heels]

Super interesting. I think the 27.5k base is still too high for what you're getting though? I don't know, I don't really know how to analyze the price because I couldn't see how much all the customizations cost, but it's definitely an interesting concept in general.

I also worry about them being able to handle any demand whatsoever. That's alot of custom orders that they have to pump through, and how do they keep up being a startup basically?

 

[PatsFan]

Interesting concept, I know there are Chinese versions that are very similar.
I wonder what the haul capacity is how that might affect the mileage and how they would do in Cold climates.

 

[zengineer]

Super interesting. I think the 27.5k base is still too high for what you're getting though? I don't know, I don't really know how to analyze the price because I couldn't see how much all the customizations cost, but it's definitely an interesting concept in general.

I also worry about them being able to handle any demand whatsoever. That's alot of custom orders that they have to pump through, and how do they keep up being a startup basically?

They are hoping the $7500 government incentive stays in place. I've been in the automotive business for 40 years and dealt with more than a few start-ups here in the US and Asia. I don't worry about these guys having the money and talent to make it. It's so far away from being a vehicle that I would ever buy that ...well it's just not. But there is a market for it.

It's not intended to be a cross country road trip vehicle for a family of 6...yet people criticize vehicles like this for having limited range and space. It's not intended to haul a load of gravel while pulling your horse trailer. It's a pickup as a base model because that's the cheapest, lightest way to build the back half of a vehicle. It's for the 20 something living in a city who needs basic transportation to get to work and go to Starbucks...oh wait, that's just one place. It's cooler to them than a 4 year old Chevy. Or the seniors living in the Villages who want to venture out beyond the range of their golf cart.

 

[Bosco...]

THIS is how EV’s should have been introduced all along instead of expensive luxury vehicles. I love the no frills, add what you want idea. Drive this during the week and save your luxury vehicle for the weekend.

 

[DataDude]

This seems pretty cool. Would be a great drive around town car. I would like a speaker system in my ride though. That would be important to me.

 

[Bosco...]

It's for the 20 something living in a city who needs basic transportation to get to work and go to Starbucks

I’m thinking it could be perfect for retirement. I just want to get to the grocery store and the golf course. And not necessarily in that order.

 

[1860VS]

I am very leery. A claimed payload of 1433#, for which there is no SAE standard used. Yet with SAE J2807 standard it can only claim a 1,000# towing capacity. That shows either a huge drive train/brake deficiency or a very, very optimistic payload rating. Probably a combination thereof. I cant think of a single pickup of any size made the last 40 years with a lower tow rating than payload rating. And given the flat torque "curve" of electric motors, it would be easy to get higher tow rating.....if the truck were properly set up for the claimed payload capacity. That is very close to the payload of a Colorado midsize pickup, which had a 7200# tow rating with gas engine last time I looked.

 

[zengineer]

I’m thinking it could be perfect for retirement. I just want to get to the grocery store and the golf course. And not necessarily in that order.

I was actually editing my post to add that while you were replying.

I sat in a very early prototype last year and it reminded me of the 1963 Econoline pickup I learned to drive in...very basic.

 

[zengineer]

I am very leery. A claims payload of 1433#, for which there is no SAE standard used. Yet with SAE J2807 standard it can only claim a 1,000# towing capacity. That shows either a huge drive train/brake deficiency or a very, very optimistic payload rating. Probably a combination thereof. I cant think of a single pickup of any size made the last 40 years with a lower tow rating than payload rating. And given the flat torque "curve" of electric motors, it would be easy to get higher tow rating.....if the truck were properly set up for the claimed payload capacity. That is very close to the payload of a Colorado midsize pickup, which had a 7200# tow rating with gas engine last time I looked.

If someone regularly tows anything significant for any distance, they would be shopping in the wrong isle at the truck store.

 

[Bosco...]

I was actually editing my post to add that while you were replying.

I sat in a very early prototype last year and it reminded me of the 1963 Econoline pickup I learned to drive in...very basic.
View attachment 9343489View attachment 9343490

That’s almost like my Tacoma, basic as basic gets.

I really like the whole idea of this thing.

 

[MudFlap]

If it wasn’t an EV…I like the idea of bringing basic trucks back though.

 

[pumbaa]

I have been reading about the Slate electric truck that is getting some serious coverage after a launch event today. It’s a small, 2-door extremely basic electric truck. The expected release is end of 2026.

The concept, from what I can gather, is to make a small, utilitarian electric truck. In fact that’s how it gets its name - a blank slate. From there, you can add everything from different armrest panels or front light covers, to a beck seat in the back with a hard top to seat 5 with airbags and everything. According to the promotional info, the upgrades will be DIY friendly, but there will also be a network of service providers to install any upgrades and modifications. Color is slate gray, becuase it’s composite. If you want a different color, you buy and install a vinyl wrap.

The specs are interesting:

Expected base price: $27,500, so $20,00 after federal ev credit (assuming it sticks around).

Range: Base - 150 miles, Extended - 240 miles.

0-60: a sluggish 8 seconds. Top speed is 90 mph.

Roll up windows, no radio, no infotainment system, no frills. It’s a truck straight out of the 90s. I am intrigued by this tiny truck. I don’t need a full size and having something like this as a third car would be convenient. I could also drive it to work a few days a week to same on gas and mileage on my current daily. It would be perfect for a quick run to the golf course or range. Or Costco.

What do you all think? It’s certainly not for everyone. But I love the idea.

SLATE

SLATE Auto | The Customizable EV That Works for You

www.slate.auto

Been following these for about a month now. I'm really interested just as a get around town type car.

 

[xThor]

Saw this earlier with my wife. We thought it looked pretty cool and threw our names in with a reservation. Late next year to early 2027 was when I was looking for a new car for myself anyway,, the idea of this is pretty close to what I really want.

 

[BMiller813]

Electric trucks don't really make sense for people that actually use them as trucks. The SUV option seems like it should make some traction in the space

 

[Bosco...]

Electric trucks don't really make sense for people that actually use them as trucks. The SUV option seems like it should make some traction in the space

Quite the opposite for me. If I can’t haul it that means I ain’t gotta do it. Few bags of mulch, dogs, golf clubs, beach chairs, cooler.

Sorry Mr. Favorasker, I can’t go pick up your new refrigerator.

 

[PV_Premier]

Electric trucks don't really make sense for people that actually use them as trucks. The SUV option seems like it should make some traction in the space

Correct but I’d argue many truck owners don’t use their trucks as trucks to begin with.

Anyways on this, I’d probably go for the Maverick hybrid instead if I was in the market for such a vehicle.

 

[JW Smoove]

As s retired golf, beach, grocery, Costco guy. This thing is perfect. Now can the beach version be cleaned out with just a hose, for the annual plants and mulch buys?

If so, I’m in.

 

[JW Smoove]

Correct but I’d argue many truck owners don’t use their trucks as trucks to begin with.

Anyways on this, I’d probably go for the Maverick hybrid instead if I was in the market for such a vehicle.

Charge many to most and i think you nailed it.

 

[leftybob]

I am very leery. A claimed payload of 1433#, for which there is no SAE standard used. Yet with SAE J2807 standard it can only claim a 1,000# towing capacity. That shows either a huge drive train/brake deficiency or a very, very optimistic payload rating. Probably a combination thereof. I cant think of a single pickup of any size made the last 40 years with a lower tow rating than payload rating. And given the flat torque "curve" of electric motors, it would be easy to get higher tow rating.....if the truck were properly set up for the claimed payload capacity. That is very close to the payload of a Colorado midsize pickup, which had a 7200# tow rating with gas engine last time I looked.

As someone who is very pro-EV I’m not surprised that they are not trying to claim a high towing weight. Modern battery technology just doesn’t have enough energy density to be good for towing. Engineering explained on YouTube has a really good video doing the math explaining the problem. The high efficiency and of EVs compared to ICE means they don’t need to carry a massive excess of energy to travel the expected distance. Relying on efficiency the wind resistance created by towing has a massive impact on the actual efficiency and actual range.

 

[Bosco...]

As s retired golf, beach, grocery, Costco guy. This thing is perfect. Now can the beach version be cleaned out with just a hose, for the annual plants and mulch buys?

If so, I’m in.

Now you’re talking! We’ve talked about an 80’s 4-Runner or Jeep () and doing the interior with Line-X. I just have to talk the misses out of pink and seafoam green.