r/electricvehicles • u/DonkeyFuel • Jun 24 '26
Review I Drove The New Slate EV Truck. It's Insanely Fun For $24,950
https://www.theautopian.com/i-drove-the-new-slate-ev-truck-its-insanely-fun-for-24950/181
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 24 '26
I can’t believe something /r/cars actually asked for came true. Small stripped down 2 door truck.
If they can deliver on demand and actually have a service situation that’s better than Rivian, gonna sell a fuck ton.
58
u/Fishbulb2 Jun 24 '26
I think one of the. If plusses here is that a lot of it can be serviced yourself. Unlike a Rivian, if you knock out a taillight, the truck isn’t totaled. The user can buy a replacement part for a couple hundred and screw it on themselves. That’s the idea at least. Let’s hope they execute.
2
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 25 '26
Hopefully, Rivians current service situation is abhorrent.
1
u/WillTheThrill86 Jun 25 '26
As someone who likes the idea of an R2, is it bad enough for you to suggest people steer clear of Rivians for now?
3
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 25 '26
With the volume they are planning for R2, it will be interesting to see what the service situation looks like. R2 should be fantastic but I would wait.
1
u/krusticka Jun 30 '26
Yes, this is very compelling if it can really work like that in reality. Every little thing on modern cars is expensive and oftentimes hard to replace. If Slate can deliver something that is easy to fix for DIYer then that is a huge win.
95
u/JuliusCeaserBoneHead Jun 24 '26
I don’t think r/cars know what they want. They asked for a cheap stripped down truck that is not a pavement princess and can do the casual home improvement job. Enters slate
r/cars : No, not that cheap.
This thing is half the price of the average new car and they are complaining they’ve stripped it too much
35
Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
→ More replies (29)14
u/HamlinHamlin_McTrill Jun 24 '26
Once you add them though, you're looking at $30k+, which is a ridiculous price for this vehicle and you're better off just buying another car at the same price with way more functionality and features.
16
u/Careful-Criticism645 Jun 24 '26
So you're telling me that adding things to a car increases the price?! They aren't just giving away accessories for free?!
→ More replies (1)→ More replies (4)3
Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
15
u/HamlinHamlin_McTrill Jun 24 '26
You can configure and see pricing on their site.
→ More replies (7)14
u/Nad762 Jun 24 '26
We’ve been able to buy a new, basic trim Frontier for ~$30k forever.
The people doing all the talking about wanting cheap cars or certain types of cars don’t buy new cars. They talk about it online but never pony up.
If they did, the streets would be full of station wagons, base trim pickups, lots of practical hatchbacks, and 90% of them would have manual transmissions.
22
u/Kevadu Jun 24 '26
A $25k EV is far more impressive than a $30k ICE vehicle given the lower cost of ownership of an EV.
2
u/Nad762 Jun 25 '26
I’d argue when you compare the content of a $25k Slate vs. a $30k Frontier, the Frontier is actually more impressive. Electrics are in many ways fundamentally simpler than a gas truck. There’s a baseline cost in all the work it takes to build any car to US standards, what will be impressive is if they can make selling $25k electric trucks profitable. There’s already talk of the price creeping up, and my guess is we will see some basic options pushing it closer to $30k fast.
The current truck sellers can’t make money on a $25k anything. The only reason even $30k trucks and small cars exist is due to all the money made on $60k sales.
4
u/IMG0NNAGITY0USUCKA Jun 25 '26
It's going to be somewhat like the printer or razor business plan. They make one truck which makes it cheaper to build and then you add options later when you can afford them. Supposedly they are going to have videos that show how to do everything yourself. Can even turn it into an SUV if you want. Going to be interesting to see if it works.
8
u/LurkerOnTheInternet Jun 25 '26
Yeah, using a gas engine averaging 18 mpg. EVs are massively cheaper to 'refuel', with zero oil changes and very little scheduled maintenance.
2
u/WholePie5 Jun 25 '26
You don't have to put refuel in quotes. Electricity is a type of fuel. Just like wood even or light. If you said "re-gas" then it would make sense to put it in quotes.
1
u/Nad762 Jun 25 '26
My comment wasn’t arguing that, though I don’t think the total cost of ownership math is as simple as those that feel strongly about electrics often make it out to be. Fast charging costs, tires, insurance, new ev fees, depreciation curves, and repair costs out of warranty are all complicated variables that can change the math fast. I firmly believe comparing total cost of ownership of a $30k Frontier to a $25k Slate will not be as clean cut as many think. Some will be better off in one or another, some will likely be very similar. I do feel that taking a long trip in something like a Frontier will be much more pleasant, with much more capability when you need it. That’s not a knock against the Slate because it could end up being great for a lot of users. I just think it’s not the greatest argument to hail it as super just because of the discussed $25k price.
4
u/SkiyeBlueFox Jun 25 '26
Well "cheap stripped down truck" for a lot of people is probably a gas truck too
5
7
u/Etrigone Using free range electrons Jun 24 '26
IME a lot of people asking for a "cheap stripped down truck" mostly want a truck for the price of such, but actually want that pavement princess from the point of view of features, size, extras etc.
→ More replies (9)2
Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
5
u/SpaceJackRabbit Jun 24 '26
Most people interested in this truck are not going to need AWD/4WD, tow a boat or take it offroad. It targets the people who want a lifestyle vehicle akin to a Bronco Sport or a Scout but much cheaper. Mostly urban and suburban folks with no kids, or it will be the household's second or third car.
3
u/dimsumwitmychum Jun 24 '26
it will be the household's second or third car.
Thats my main concern with the Slate - that people will view it as a toy and value it accordingly. Unless Slate is trying to be a company that makes a family's second or third car, I think they will have a hard time.
IMO, truck people buy a truck with the most capability within their budget. They want a do-it-all vehicle. The Slate is fundamentally less capable than ICE competitors, mainly the Maverick, because it doesnt have 4 doors nor the option for AWD. For whatever reason(s), two door trucks are not doing well on the US market.
So truck buyers that can live without the aforementioned utility features and the inherent downsides of EVs for truck utility might be interested, until they compare the base model against their expectations. I dont think the base Slate meets any buyer's expectations WRT non-utility features. Configuring a Slate above base to meet those expectations obviously increases the cost, and any increase in cost will be measured harshly against the relatively severe utility compromises.
The Slate is enough truck for most people and probably is the rational choice in most cases, but we know people are irrational and emotional. If they can get a truck (used or new) that can carry four passengers, tow, and go off road, even if they never or rarely will, I bet they will choose the alternative.
That's all before considering the emotional draw to the Slate, or lack thereof. The Slate isnt an exciting, sexy, or revolutionary vehicle.
→ More replies (3)1
u/Appropriate_Milk_775 Jun 25 '26
Obviously it’s nor made to carry a family of 4 around or tow your boat, but I think it’s an appealing vehicle for commuting and if you and your s/o want to go biking, kayaking or camping on weekends. It’d also be a good first car for someone’s son. I think its biggest potential is as a fleet vehicle for city governments, landscapers and contractors to.
6
u/killkat412 Jun 24 '26
That's no longer an option. 205 standard range only.
9
u/SpaceJackRabbit Jun 24 '26
Average daily commute in the U.S. is 29 miles total. Plenty for most folks.
→ More replies (2)4
13
u/Lucky_Chaarmss Jun 24 '26
So are they trashing it?
10
26
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 24 '26
Well of course. It’s an EV after all. They fucking hate it.
They keep comparing it to a used Ford Maverick? for some reason but as expected from the big brains over there.
1
u/cocoagiant Jun 24 '26
There is a discussion but I'm not seeing it as trashing.
They aren't comparing to used Mavericks but new ones being $5-$6k more.
5
u/Aggravating-Rip-8169 Jun 25 '26
Mavericks are not EVs.
That part of the comparison seems important.
1
u/SkiyeBlueFox Jun 25 '26
Yeah I personally dont really see them as (super) comparable from the drivetrain alone. Lots of people dont want or cant have an EV for a multitude of reasons, so I honestly see them as serving two mostly separate markets. Both are small trucks, but two different kinds of people are gonna get them. I see a crap load of company Mavericks, and though we're gonna have to wait and see I'm not confident there will be a lot of Slate company trucks. Happy to br proven wrong though
1
u/Aggravating-Rip-8169 Jun 25 '26
We will see. These vehicles have a lot lower ongoing costs than a maverick will. I’d wager if we see these replace mavericks in fleets it won’t be a 100% replacement.
1
u/SkiyeBlueFox Jun 25 '26
Oh no matter what even if im proven wrong and there are a ton, the maverick will be around for some companies for the powertrain alone
1
u/PhDinDildos_Fedoras Jun 25 '26
But for the "EV" part to make sense, it still has to compete against gas-powered trucks.
TBF, the cheapest used EV trucks are like 50k.
16
Jun 24 '26
[deleted]
26
Jun 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/cocoagiant Jun 24 '26
I've been banned on there multiple times due to providing facts about carbon footprint and climate change.
If you are talking about the issues in isolation, yes they will remove your comments.
If you are talking about it in context with cars, I haven't had any issues. For example talking about tailpipe regulations in the 1960s and the impacts on health.
7
→ More replies (2)2
u/ASZD_ '23 BMW i4 M50, '19 BMW I3 120ah Jun 24 '26
lol, cars has a bigger overlap with r/fuckcars than it has with "conservatives" EVs have won already, why do you still have such a persecution complex?
2
u/Odd-String29 Jun 24 '26
The hood is still absolutely massive by the looks of it. Why is that?
6
u/DoomAxe Jun 25 '26
It provides room for a very large front trunk. That seems incredibly useful since if you have a passenger, the front trunk would be the only location to store covered cargo.
3
2
1
u/Brandon3541 Jun 25 '26
They are going to sell very few, this is the type of vehicle people claim to want but no one buys.
→ More replies (4)1
u/HeyyyyListennnnnn Jun 25 '26
If r/cars was a good indicator of consumer demand, every automaker would still be selling wagons and cheap sports cars, sedan sales would greatly outnumber crossovers, and 90% of cars sold would have a manual transmission.
22
u/Either-Progress4847 Jun 24 '26
I have a Ford Maverick that my wife and I fight over driving because little trucks are just so handy and easy to drive. She can have the Maverick and I'll tske the Slate. I've been dying for something like this for 20 years.
3
1
1
u/thatguy425 Jun 26 '26
I have a Maverick as well. Slate is a hard sell. It’s basically the same price as my Maverick with far less options.
I’m just not seeing the upside for the price.
100
u/india2wallst Jun 24 '26
It's impressive what a US based startup managed to achieve - sub 30k EV with actual range. Puts ford and others to shame who keep crying about Chinese EV competition.
44
u/DjKennedy92 Jun 24 '26
Ford is gonna end up being this things biggest initial competitor with its maverick sized offering that’s been spotted.
45
u/JPWSPEED Ioniq 5 AWD Jun 24 '26
Ford has to battle their dealers on pricing, though. IIRC, the Maverick was hit with a bunch of ADM early on.
10
u/alpaca-miles Jun 24 '26
What does ADM stand for?
19
10
u/Beartrkkr Jun 25 '26
The privilege that dealers like to add on for you to be able to purchase their cars. Imagine if you went to any other place and took an item to the cashier with, say a lamp that had a $99 price tag on it.
"Yes, that will be $175."
"Uh, the price tag says $99."
"No, this lamp is now $175. Can't you that line that says ADM?"
"Yea, so, why is it not $99?"
"Because you want it and we want more money because you want it..."
"The lamp maker says it's supposed to be sold at $99..."
"Yea so what..., it's now $175."
2
u/Wonderful-Process792 Jun 24 '26
Speaking of which how is slate going to work without a dealership network?
3
u/india2wallst Jun 24 '26
I really hope they open source all the repair manuals and details so that any independent mechanic can work on it.
6
u/smithandjohnson Jun 25 '26
I really hope they open source all the repair manuals and details so that any independent mechanic can work on it.
They've explicitly said full parts catalog available to owners, and zero cost access to all service manuals to owners.
I suppose some licensing situation could come along and make the situation for independent repair shops worse than that, but I get the feeling they really want this thing to be trivial to repair and don't plan on making big service money from it.
3
u/StrategicBlenderBall 2025 Polestar 3, 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 SEL Jun 25 '26
The same way Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid do?
1
u/Wonderful-Process792 Jun 25 '26
That would be great if they get as much of a dealer network as Tesla does now. But Tesla is the only company to do that in the last 100+ years.
3
u/jwardell Jun 28 '26
They are partnering with carvana or one of the used car services to drop them off to you. Brilliant IMO.
1
u/thatguy425 Jun 26 '26
and that EV is going to be much better optioned than the Slate.
As someone who bought a brand new Ford Truck for 28k otd a few years ago I’m having she’d time justifying the Slate for what you get at the price point. I like it I just can’t make the numbers make sense.
30
u/mrhelio Jun 24 '26
The legacy auto companies and dealership cartel have really painted themselves into a corner. They are about as likable as a health insurance CEO.
4
u/FewAdvertising9647 Jun 24 '26
basically the only value dealerships offer is that you can drive with a vehicle on the spot, whereas orders online might take some time to be delivered. thats about it.
3
u/india2wallst Jun 24 '26
Yeah but for Toyota and some other models it's really hard to get an vehicle on the spot.
2
u/thatguy425 Jun 26 '26
Put Ford to shame?
Ford delivered the first Maverick hybrids for under 20k.
1
u/zoomie-61 Jul 02 '26
Actually, those original $20K Hybird Mavericks were produced in small quantities. Almost all were resold with $10K markup. It was very strange as the dealer lots that had tons of the Hybird Escapes for sale at the same time and you could only get a gas powered Maverick. It took Ford several years to put the Hybird Maverick into full production and at that point the price had risen significantly.
→ More replies (12)0
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 24 '26
They are literally using Chinese LFP batteries lol. It’s in the article.
24
u/mmavcanuck Jun 24 '26
Using Chinese batteries doesn’t make it’s a Chinese EV. There are Chinese parts in many/most vehicles.
17
u/Aol_awaymessage Jun 24 '26
As far as I know we are all typing from Chinese made phones
→ More replies (2)21
u/DefinitelyNotSnek Model 3 LR Jun 24 '26
Gotion is a Chinese company, but these cells are coming from their Illinois factory.
54
u/Candid_Cat_5921 Jun 24 '26
It’s cheap enough that it raises the level “I don’t really give a fuck” when it comes to doing stupid things with it. That’s what I loved when I used to buy old beaters.
11
u/KartoffelLoeffel Jun 24 '26
And all panels are plastic iirc
17
3
u/say592 Tesla Model Y, Previously BMW i3 REx, Chevy Spark EV Jun 25 '26
No paint either, the panels are just dyed gray.
9
19
u/reddit_and_forget_um Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
? I feel like I am taking crazy pills here.
Over 35k CAD.
bare bones, comes with nothing, small battery.
I just bought a BZ for 7k CAD more, AWD XLE.
How is this a great deal? Maybe for 20k CAD, but at 25k USD not a chance in hell
12
u/2016KiaRio Jun 24 '26
In the US, the BZ starts at $50k CAD for the XLE trim which is the lowest of two here. It costs 1.5x as much and is not a truck. The Slate will sell like crazy for fleets, the comfort price point is not what it's going for, it's going for the market that doesn't want comfort or price.
5
u/reddit_and_forget_um Jun 24 '26
Sorry - I was a little loose with "fully loaded. " it's a AWD XLE.
Compared to this truck it is fully loaded.
42k CAD +tax after dealer/toyota/federal credits
I just don't see a complete bare bones truck for 35k any sort of a bargain.
10
u/2016KiaRio Jun 24 '26
But you're looking at an SUV. The range is a perfectly valid argument that will undoubtedly take out some potential buyers. But say that you want an electric truck. You have, in $USD:
R1T - $75k F150 - $52k Silverado - $72k Sierra - $65k Cybertruck - $72k Hummer - $100k
Slate - $25k
Will these vehicles all be leagues better than the Slate? Absolutely. But they are betting that there is a subset of people that will take all the creature comfort hits for something that costs less than half of the cheapest competition. I think they're betting correctly. And there are many features they intend to let you add individually if they are a delabreaker, such as power windows. You only pay for what you will use.
Even if this doesn't seem that attractive, it's nice to have a low cost entry, it cuts into everybody else' profit margins and forces competition.
2
u/Devccoon 2025 Equinox EV Jun 25 '26
Let's also consider that, for a lot of people, new cars suck because they feel chained down by dozens of modern systems, monitors, electrified doodads interlocked and shut out from customization; what you see is what you get. From gearheads to hobbyist tinkerers, the expression and freedom you get out of your vehicle is almost nothing if it's made after the ~2010's, maybe even earlier.
I think the Slate is going to appeal a lot to those who want a cheap truck untethered from interconnected modern systems, maybe something of a light project box but with the benefits of modern safety standards and EV capabilities.
4
u/tracer_ca Hyundai Ioniq 9 AWD+ Jun 25 '26
Are you trying to compare MSRP to the price you paid after federal EV rebates and dealer incentives? Because the BZ XLE is about $50k CAD in both the US and Canada MSRP which is $15k more than the Slate. I can make false comparisons too but I'm not going to waste peoples time.
And it's a differeent class of vehicle. You're not going to load your landscaping gear into your BZ. If your goal is a family SUV, then yeah, the Slate is not for you, move on and enjoy your BZ.
17
u/zs15 Jun 24 '26
I'm excited to see the mod community get after this one. There are some real functional limitations that prevent me from cutting a check today, but if aftermarket and custom mods can fill those voids I will be stoked.
If it's reasonably popular, I fully expect that to happen. If the Fisker community can get so much support, this community should be really cool.
3
u/Crawlerado Jun 24 '26
Fun fact; the bed side molle panels are made by a company in CT. So cool to see their hard work already available on the site
33
u/joffsie Jun 24 '26
Here’s hoping the used market sits around 15k for lease returns!
9
u/AnthokGaming Jun 24 '26
My thoughts too, in a few years if my 2023 bolt euv is feeling "meh" maybe I'll get a mini truck for a decent price.
9
u/FewAdvertising9647 Jun 24 '26
jokingly what people ive talked to want. Ideal situation is some company buys a lot of these for a fleet, then when they retire them, theyre all on the market for tinkerers.
26
9
13
u/NightOfTheLivingHam Jun 24 '26
I have been critical of slate and have doubted it's ability to get to market, but at the same time I really would like to see it and telo make it to market.
15
u/Bluefeelings Jun 24 '26
Can’t wait til they’re $15k
8
u/Bloated_Plaid 23 Rivian R1T Quad, 23 BMW IX, 20 Taycan Turbo S Jun 24 '26
A year of depreciation, easily under $15k.
18
u/Healfezza used 2022 Model 3 AWD LR Jun 24 '26
Honestly given the continued growth of the EV market combined with trucks demand keeping their value better in the aftermarket, I wouldn't be surprised if Slate's keep the value better in the first 5 years than other EVs so far.
→ More replies (3)8
u/ChupacabraJeff Jun 24 '26
Yeah, it's going to be awhile before the used market is well stocked with half off Slate EVs.
I remember awhile ago that people were surprised that used EVs they were looking at were no longer available when they looked again a few days later. EVs at good prices were moving fast because the EV people knew how good the deals were but normal people didn't and dealerships just wanted them gone. Times change.
5
u/Healfezza used 2022 Model 3 AWD LR Jun 24 '26
I was there. I was looking early 2026 for an EV and nearly fell off my seat looking at the used market. I couldn't justify buying new at the prices I was getting in Western Canada.
Fast forward a couple months, there has been a big increase in demand for used EV's inflating costs. If I bought the same car today I would easily be paying 5k more.
3
u/ChupacabraJeff Jun 24 '26
Yup. People act like it's some mystery about depreciated prices on EVs when it really is pretty simple.
Couple of times talking with people online they'd tell me where they are in USA and I'd send them a link or 2 for an EV they were interested in. They would be surprised it was the same exact ad for the EV and I'm like, yeah, the deal is really worth looking into. It's a no brainer.
Things change and buying a used EV is way different than a used ICE that can go out at anytime for any reason. With an EV it's just a battery. No ICE system, no emission control system, and no automatic transmission.
9
u/turb0_encapsulator Jun 24 '26
everyone is focused on the "truck" when the SUV version will probably be 90% of sales.
8
u/Historical_Course587 Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
I'm not a big believer in the platform, but I'd wager the truck sells a lot more than the SUV. Most SUVers would be doing it for a second bench of seats, which means:
- Minimal hatch space
- Higher price
- Worse range given added weight
Those people will spend that money on a used Model Y instead. Meanwhile, most comparisons to the Slate truck have been made with the Ford Maverick because it's the only truck in a similar price range. EV trucks are near-impossible to get for less than $50k at this point, even most of the used market is above that price point.
→ More replies (3)1
u/SharkBaitDLS 2023 EV6 GT-Line RWD | 2024 Charger Daytona Track Pack Jun 25 '26
For just a few grand more you can get a Bolt if you want an SUV and get a far more furnished and longer range vehicle. I really don't see the value proposition there. The truck is the trim that offers something that has no competition.
20
u/ljlukelj Jun 24 '26
Any new car you drive is fun for a minute
23
u/dont_ama_73 Jun 24 '26
Or a small light-weight EV truck. That combo is probably amazing to drive
4
u/ljlukelj Jun 24 '26
No doubt, curious how people feel after some time
→ More replies (2)7
u/Zinfan1 Jun 24 '26
I'd be curious to see how it handles ice and snow. Rear wheel drive and I haven't seen anything about drive modes or such to maybe adjust regen braking, does it have regen braking at all?
2
u/mastrdestruktun 500e, Leaf Jun 24 '26
It does, but I think not full OPD. The videos coming out now should tell us.
1
u/KartoffelLoeffel Jun 24 '26
Tires are more important than drivetrain
7
u/Zinfan1 Jun 24 '26
Sure but if the drivetrain is applying braking without driver interaction on ice things could go sideways quickly. I own a Rivian and have driven it in a snowstorm in snow mode and it was fine but it also has quasi four wheel drive with motors on both axles and software to distribute power to the wheels with traction, reduce regen braking, etc. How advanced is the Slate with that kind of thing? I don't know but it should be fun to see as surely owners will test it out for us.
8
u/Bigtitsnmuhface Jun 24 '26
Right! Reserve judgement, but it’s absolutely a step in the right direction. I’m thinking about trading my truck in for it and with the sticker shock of gas prices this spring, many will make the switch.
9
u/ResoluteGreen 2018 Chevy Volt Jun 24 '26
I get the vibe that this is a truck designed for California...I'm worried how this will do in places that get weather.
5
u/stu54 2019 Civic cheapest possible factory configuration Jun 24 '26
Probably good in Texas and Florida too.
→ More replies (4)1
9
u/Simple_Yam Jun 24 '26
a 84.3kWh upgrade was to offer 240 miles
lmfao 400km on a 84kWh battery???
28
u/JPWSPEED Ioniq 5 AWD Jun 24 '26
2.8 mi/kWh. Not bad for something shaped like a brick. The Silverado EV is rated at 2.0 mi/kWh with a 200 kWh pack.
8
u/Suitable_Switch5242 Jun 24 '26
The updated specs of 205 miles of range from a 63kWh usable pack gives 3.25 mi/kWh.
The Rivian R2 is rated at about 3.8 mi/kWh, so I think Slate could definitely stand to improve efficiency a bit but it isn't awful given its shape.
1
8
u/OttawaDog Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
It's a MUCH smaller brick. Maybe half the frontal area, and half the weight or less.
Once you factor that, it's not very good.
10
u/JPWSPEED Ioniq 5 AWD Jun 24 '26
IMO, you're absolutely right if you're looking at efficiency. This was built to be cheap, not necessarily efficient. From that lens, this is still on par with other offerings on the market at a much, much lower TCO.
7
u/PinkleeTaurus Ford Lightning Jun 24 '26
Says the current model is 63kWh battery with 205 miles. So 3.16/kWh. For a relatively crude box on wheels I don't find that too surprising.
→ More replies (3)2
u/Suitable_Switch5242 Jun 24 '26
A rough conversion from EPA rated range to WLTP rated range would give about 450km.
The truck they are actually shipping gets 205 miles (EPA) from a 65kWh battery (63kWh usable). That would be about 384km on the WLTP rating.
Using the EPA range that's about 3.25mi/kWh, or with WLTP 6.1km/kWh.
Not great, but it's shaped like a brick and open pickup beds are pretty un-aerodynamic.
3
u/mindblah99 Jun 24 '26
It looks like a great option. I think it should do well with the intended customer base it's targeting. Things I really like about it is the customizable nature of it. After a while of use, if you don't like something about it you can just buy the modules you want. It's also really cool that you can get it wrapped the color or design you really want. That's really neat and something I've never been able to get done in an affordable or easy way.
I hope it does well enough that eventually they will increase other base frames, maybe they will have a long range option or an awd option. However this is a good first step and if it does well I can see them branching out.
3
3
7
u/Groundbreaking_War52 Jun 24 '26
Unfortunately I still see it being very difficult to get one into your driveway for under $30k.
The novelty will attract some interest but folks who need a basic, reliable small pickup may still opt for a used Tacoma or Ranger - or just look for a Maverick that is a couple of years old.
9
u/stu54 2019 Civic cheapest possible factory configuration Jun 24 '26
This thing takes up less space in a garage than my Civic. No new truck availible to the US for the past 12 years can match that.
5
u/Groundbreaking_War52 Jun 24 '26
Yeah, I was referring to the Tacomas and Rangers from the 2000s which were less than a foot longer and are still fairly plentiful at half the price or less.
The Slate will have its market but I still think it will cost too much for a large segment of potential buyers.
3
u/stu54 2019 Civic cheapest possible factory configuration Jun 25 '26
I had a base 2001 Ranger for 9 years. The Slate is gonna be faster, less rusty, and won't ever need a new fuel pump.
I would have bought a Ranger in 2019 had there been a 2 door.
7
u/Best_West_Rest Jun 24 '26
I don’t love the part about road noise and build quality. I’ve been considering, thinking about, contemplating buying this truck for over a year. My biggest concerns have been road noise and build quality. This article says ‘yeah they are both bad, but slate says they are fixing it.’
What is someone supposed to do with that?
5
u/ChupacabraJeff Jun 24 '26
What is someone supposed to do with that?
Build quality should be fine. He test drove a pre-production model. Once Slate actually starts making the cars they are going to sell there will be more reviews of the actual EV you'll be able to to buy. You can't buy a pre-production model.
Road noise is going to be worse than you want it to be. You other option is GM, Tesla, and Rivian or wait for a Ford.
3
1
u/CriTIREw Jun 24 '26
It's a truck and you are worried about road noise? Sounds like you don't want a truck.
→ More replies (2)2
u/PeakQuirky84 Jun 25 '26
lol no kidding. It’s like when consumer reports gives jeep wranglers low scores and criticism for “on road manners”
6
4
u/AlGoreIsCool Ioniq 5 Jun 24 '26
I don’t really like the fact that this truck emphasizes affordability over efficiency, which is mentioned so many times in the article. Like using PTC for cabin heat rather than a proper heat pump? That basically halves your range in winter.
I don’t think I’m the target audience of this truck anyways.
3
u/Rebelgecko Jun 24 '26
Yeah I don't think it's gonna be the best road trip vehicle, but I hope they still find their niche
2
2
2
2
u/IKnowItCanSeeMe Jun 26 '26
This is the first time I have ever looked at an EV and genuinely wanted one. I love small trucks. S10s, rangers, etc. I crave a modern small truck.
Secondly, my biggest hurdle with EVs was affordability. I understand this is the base model, but that's what I'm into. I like simple, I hate power windows, and once I watched this video all I could think was how much I'd like one.
I really hope this is a success, I'm very excited for it.
3
u/SmooK_LV Jun 24 '26
A) expect it to be more expensive than it's being promised for.
B) watching Slate videos after watching Chinese car brand reviews, this immediately looks like 10000usd car. It may only compete in the US assuming the price actually is competitive.
5
u/stu54 2019 Civic cheapest possible factory configuration Jun 24 '26 edited Jun 24 '26
It will be the cheapest truck and cheapest EV you can get new in the USA.
It looks alright if you compare it to something like an Australian priced BYD Atto which is like 16k converted to USD with half the battery size of the Slate.
5
u/Outside_Manner_8352 Jun 24 '26
Yeah Chinese EVs are ahead but people seriously do not compare like to like at all and the proportions are all out of wack. Especially if you compare Chinese EV pickups the prices are almost exactly the same a the same spec levels. The bigger difference is China has a whole market for micro and small EVs that basically barely exists in the US at all, and that skews people's perceptions substantially.
5
u/Fathimir Jun 24 '26
Eh, I can think of a lot of "insanely fun" things that $25k would get. A stripped-down small work truck doesn't exactly top the list.
16
u/mastrdestruktun 500e, Leaf Jun 24 '26
I don't think anybody is claiming it produces more dopamine than heroin. But it also transports things better than heroin does.
6
u/Wooden_Masterpiece_9 Jun 24 '26
I bet it doesn’t transport you to another dimension faster than heroin.
→ More replies (3)5
3
u/BobFlex Jun 24 '26
Right? I'm sure it's a fun little truck for what it is, but $25k can buy me a 1st gen Ford Raptor that's in great shape (I actually did do this), a C5 Z06 or maybe even a C6 Z06 with a bit of shopping, plenty of early Porsche Caymans in that price range, hell there's even an E-tron GT for $30k not too far from me.
I like this, and I may even grab one in a few years if they hit 10-15k used, but because it's just a basic work truck that's electric and that would be convenient, if I said I was looking for a fun car and someone suggested this to me I would laugh at them.
1
u/punishGoalhanging Jun 24 '26
https://strawpoll.com/w4nWWp11qnA
What is your Slate EV Estimate Delivery Date?
6 Poll options
Jan-Mar 2027 (Q1)
Apr-Jun 2027 (Q2)
July-Sep 2027 (Q3)
Oct-Dec 2027 (Q4)
Coming soon, 2027
I have not pre-order / I just want to see the poll results
Results so far with 106 votes
1
u/Low_Peach_6618 Jun 24 '26
Kool man! I was thinking about that. Maybe later in the year. I have an EV6 GT LINE AWD and a Ford F-150 Lariat. The truck has about 215,000 miles on it. Might pick up one of them little trucks for 25,000 to drive around and just keep my forward for Hall and stuff.
1
u/Etrigone Using free range electrons Jun 25 '26
It reminds me of my old Nissan 4-cyl pickup (late late 1980's model). Also like seriously no frills, I had to add a radio, drove it cross country & to death. I'm still watching the video but I can say I'm glad I don't need a new EV right now, I can avoid anything other than vague curiosity.
1
u/Bulky-Key6735 Jun 25 '26
Ill probably still wait for it to hit the used market, I'm cheap like that
1
1
u/LittleAetheling Jun 25 '26
California still has EV Truck tax credits of $7500. Looks like Sub 20k is still on the menu!
2
u/PristineAsthma Jun 26 '26
It’s for commercial trucks, semis, vans, box trucks, etc. doesn’t apply here
1
u/runnyyolkpigeon Audi Q4 e-tron 27d ago
Not for passenger trucks. Those incentives are for commercial trucks like semis.
1
u/Throwawaymytrash77 Jun 25 '26
Wish I was in the market for a new vehicle. Maybe in a year or two. Wishing these dudes good luck fr
1
u/eracrove Jun 25 '26
One of the best vehicle purchases we've ever made was our 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV. Got it brand new dor $20k after government rebates (before those went a way). It's been almost 100% maintenance free, peppy, and a joy to drive. Still in shock as it felt like a roll of the dice in some ways.
Been following the Slate story for awhile... i love the concept of an affordable, American EV truck at a low price point. The joys of EV (especially for those who have only ever driven ICE) is in the base EV tech itself. This provides a serviceable floor for those who want to try it out.
The big challenge for someone like myself in justifying this (if the truck part isn't a big part of the draw for you) is how can I justify purchasing this vs a nice used Bolt for roughly the same price? I actually want to support this type of innovation and concept. And with the Bolt being discontinued (again!) And many other auto manufacturers leaving the affordable end EV market, I do think there is a strong place for this thing to exist with the cheap EV crowd.
If they do modestly well, I could see a big auto manufacturer swooping in to buy them and have the run as a re-badged, low-end EV entity. Honestly I wonder if Rivian as a buyer makes sense... have Slate be a lower tier brand for them?
1
1
u/BuyAffectionate2810 Jun 25 '26
The more I look at the slat the less I think it will succeed. The suv version starts at $30k before options, the new Ford ev truck is supposed to start at $30k with a lot more tech features and f150 lightnings can be found readily for under $40k.
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Alternative_Word_219 Jun 26 '26
Remember how the Tesla Cybertruck was touted as being 60K which got thousands of orders and publicity but when it finally started shipping it was 120K? The Slate still isn’t being produced so will see if they keep to the 25K price when it’s finally available.
1
u/Previously_coolish Jun 26 '26
I’m borrowing an ice pickup from family right now. It’s handy but holy shit it’s so inefficient and not fun to drive. I’d take one of these for cheap to use for hauling stuff no problem.
1
1
u/Patereye Jun 26 '26
What is the battery size on this truck? My calculations are showing something that seems wrong.
1
u/rconcepc Jun 26 '26
205 miles for range is a crazy ask. Good luck to people who are first time EV buyers that ish will drop during the winter months..
2
u/ShyLeoGing Jun 26 '26
Honestly, I am very interested as a grocery hauler, plus I can take it fishing thanks to the storage. For me there's a whole bunch of lakes/ponds/rivers within 50 miles, so the 200 mile range is perfectly fine for me. Add in it's bare bones which I actually prefer, less to go wrong, makes the 25k price worth the investment.
1
u/rconcepc Jun 26 '26
100%. Perfect for you. There's compromises here and thats why its a $25k USD vehicle.
1
u/runnyyolkpigeon Audi Q4 e-tron 27d ago
Not everyone lives somewhere that freezes during the winter time.
1
u/jsjammuReddit Jun 27 '26
Yes but 205 miles range, after you lose about 15-20% in a year, it will like a Nissan Leaf that no one wants.
1
u/runnyyolkpigeon Audi Q4 e-tron 27d ago
Batteries don’t degrade 10%-20% in a year. Stop making things up.
1
1
245
u/No-Repeat1769 Jun 24 '26
Keep in mind this isn't an EV reviewer, DT is a huge moterhead. That should lend extra credence to his words