SLATE Truck debuts as a modular SUV & Pickup

[MetalCord]

There is literally NOTHING about this vehicle that DOESN'T make sense to me. I've been complaining for years that an electric car should use as little electricity as possible for anything other than the drive train as that would really maximize efficiency. If you have to ask who this vehicle is supposed to be for... clearly it's not for you. My best friend would buy one of these in a heartbeat. To him, vehicles are appliances, simply a tool to do a job. Comfort and entertainment aren't even on the list for him. Personally, vehicles have long been an emotional choice for me. I like to enjoy my vehicle but I would consider buying one of these. I dig the old school design language and single cab pickups just flood my basement. I would definitely need to get some upgrades. And the modular nature of the truck, something that has been discussed very little in this thread, could be a game changer if engineered properly.

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[Jimrpa]

They “theoretically” address it with simulations.

Things get real when you crash the actual vehicle into a wall or another vehicle.

14” doesn’t make me feel safe.

And how you FEEL is every bit as important as how safe something actually IS when it comes to people spending their money.

And even if it is safe, if it doesn’t look safe? That’s a HUGE problem.

Fun fact- the Smart car has a 4 star crash rating. So does the Chevy Silverado.

Which one do you feel safer driving?

In their defense (and I have no horse in this race, other than it being an interesting new company), their target market is making an “urban pickup truck”, so most collisions in an urban environment will be fairly slow speed.

 

[zvez]

There is literally NOTHING about this vehicle that DOESN'T make sense to me. I've been complaining for years that an electric car should use as little electricity as possible for anything other than the drive train as that would really maximize efficiency. If you have to ask who this vehicle is supposed to be for... clearly it's not for you. My best friend would buy one of these in a heartbeat. To him, vehicles are appliances, simply a tool to do a job. Comfort and entertainment aren't even on the list for him. Personally, vehicles have long been an emotional choice for me. I like to enjoy my vehicle but I would consider buying one of these. I dig the old school design language and single cab pickups just flood my basement. I would definitely need to get some upgrades. And the modular nature of the truck, something that has been discussed very little in this thread, could be a game changer if engineered properly.

I'm wondering how long the federal incentives will remain in place for EVs, I'd think they won't survive the year, that will be a huge factor on this car's price.
BTW, I quite like it.

 

[Administrator]

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Everything You Want To Know About Slate EV Pickup - by Autoline

 

[Mach1E]

I get your point, but by this argument, we should all be driving Hummers. Neither are an option for me as neither the Hummer nor the Silverado will fit in my garage.

As I stated above, I will be interested in the crash test results. My real objection to your earlier statement the claim of NO crumple zone. Whether there is suffient has yet to be determined, and is ultimately up to the buyer.

For the intended use case of city driving, the Telo fits better than the Silverado. That may also help them with sales outside North America.

Actually the point was the opposite:

Not that we should be driving Hummers, more that we won’t feel safe in a Smart car, despite the 4 star rating.

Even if this thing gets a 5 star crash rating, I’m sure plenty of people will still have doubts. Because it doesn’t look safe.

How things look and feel can be way more impactful than facts when it comes to fear.

Bathtubs are way more deadly than sharks. My wife isn’t afraid of the bathtub though.

 

[Mach1E]

In their defense (and I have no horse in this race, other than it being an interesting new company), their target market is making an “urban pickup truck”, so most collisions in an urban environment will be fairly slow speed.

I dunno about you, but any urban environment I’ve driven in…. People drive scary fast!

If there isn’t a traffic jam, 20 over the speed limit seems like the norm. ?

 

[phidauex]

The concept is appealing. If you look at my profile my other car is a ‘97 Tacoma, manual transmission, manual windows and doors. Someone put a CD player into it 20 years ago and that is the extent of the automation. I love it, but it is showing its age, has 250k miles on it, and gets poor mileage. Simple is good, I find most modern trucks to be bloated in features and appearance, more air-behind-sheet metal than actual storage space or god forbid a usable bed.

That said, this is yet another announcement, but add it to Alpha, Telos, and seemingly many others, it looks like a vehicle I’d love to buy IF they actually make it, the quality is good, the service is there, the price stays remotely similar to the blurb, etc etc etc.

Not sure what chances I give these guys, but the other light practical EV trucks are currently 0 for 0 on actually making anything. I’ll watch, but not holding my breath.

 

[areacode413]

Affordable trucks were once common. I would be interested. Looks like the old and new have similar usable space?

 

[zvez]

Affordable trucks were once common. I would be interested. Looks like the old and new have similar usable space?

I drove a 1980s mazda b2000 pickup for years. Such a great compact platform.

 

[Space_Pony]

It sounds like this Slate truck is tentatively set to be manufactured in my area. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

 

[Mach1E]

It sounds like this Slate truck is tentatively set to be manufactured in my area. It will be interesting to see how it goes.

That may be a bad thing:

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ab...rters-in-southern-california-in-disarray/amp/

 

[Jimrpa]

Affordable trucks were once common. I would be interested. Looks like the old and new have similar usable space?

OMG! You found Mater’s brother ????

 

[Blue highway]

That may be a bad thing:

https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ab...rters-in-southern-california-in-disarray/amp/

well... California

 

[Tampamike]

I drove a 1980s mazda b2000 pickup for years. Such a great compact platform.

I had one of those circa 1985. My Triumph convertible was down for repairs again and my motorcycle was proving to be impractical as a daily commuter. I bought the cheapest new vehicle I could find -$7500. Maybe that’s the market for these new EV trucks now - new, simple and cheap.

 

[Blue highway]

I wonder what a few options would cost...
Wrap
Radio
larger battery
Heated seats
"suv" cap
Spare wheel on the back

Once this approaches mid $30's or more a used EV looks much more compelling

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