Why are you excited about Slate Auto?

[Alan]

What made you interested in Slate — price, design, accessories, or something else?

 

[Casey]

I just saw a camper discussing the affordable new EV truck that can be configured as an SUV. I thought it was neat. I find it intriguing that the car comes in a basic metal gray, but he mentioned it's designed to be wrapped in any color the owner wants. He even mentioned it could come with a wrap kit that the new owner could install themselves.

 

[Alan]

I could see this being a big money maker for Slate. Imagine the folks that will change the wraps based on the seasons or holidays!

 

[Charlie]

I love the idea of an EV truck that is reasonably priced - and totally customizable.

 

[Skip]

While affordable, will definitely be bare bones (i.e. roll-up crank windows bare bones). Even the cupholder is optional. Also the news I read, the $20k estimated price point depends on the $7500 federal rebate, so with cost overruns, production delays, etc, we're looking at a bare pickup with a price point close to Leaf S (that has a decent interior).

I am all for the concept of an inexpensive basic vehicle - they killed the Jeep by adding too many non-essentials. I am just not ready to jump up and down yet.

 

[Alan]

@Skip, thanks for that information. I missed the $7500 federal rebate mention. I'm not sure the roll-down windows bother me. But I would expect the wing vent windows to go with them.

 

[Peter Joseph]

Definitely my kind of EV. The elegance of simplicity and customizable options.

My only reluctance is the missing ADAS features. Hoping it will come in due time. Have a free trial of Tesla FSD until the end of this month. It was quite the revelation. Drove from Chattanooga to Austin (~1,000 mi) in 17.5 hrs with only charging breaks. This is a big deal for safety, especially as one gets older. It would be hard for me to go back to the old ways, at least for cross-country driving.

 

[Alan]

I can understand not having ADAS would be a missed feature. This vehicle reminds of the designers attempting to become a modern version of a 56 Chevy. Basic but transportation.

 

[Kevin S]

While affordable, will definitely be bare bones (i.e. roll-up crank windows bare bones). Even the cupholder is optional. Also the news I read, the $20k estimated price point depends on the $7500 federal rebate, so with cost overruns, production delays, etc, we're looking at a bare pickup with a price point close to Leaf S (that has a decent interior).

I am all for the concept of an inexpensive basic vehicle - they killed the Jeep by adding too many non-essentials. I am just not ready to jump up and down yet.

Comparing to list price of a barebones Leaf S, ok, but can you even get one of those? A quick search shows Mostly Leaf SV + and higher models within 50 miles, and those are 38k+. sorting by price, 4 different dealers each have a single 30k Leaf S, and that's still all that is visible out to 500 miles, which apparently shows the nearest 25 dealers. Apparently Nissan adds to every 28k base leaf at a minimum splash guards, floor mats, cupholders, and a first aid kit, for almost $1k, and over 1k in destination fees.
Beyond that, a Leaf isn't a truck. I rarely ever have someone ride in my backseat, there is always some alternative, at least 1 of the passengers has a 4+ seat car sitting there. When I would like to pick up some lumber or anything else, it's difficult without renting a truck or paying for delivery.
With other electric trucks, they all have 5 passenger capacity and 4 doors, even gas trucks have all gone to that format. And the cheapest really available models are at 70k+ trim packages, similar to the way the leaf is ~40k