cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/electricvehicles/p/2162853/usa-slate-s-new-electric-truck-will-cost-slightly-more-than-24950
Range is said to be 205 mi (330 km), higher than the original estimate. This price is for the basic truck. The SUV configuration is expected to be $5000 more.
Interesting, the telematics module is sold separately at $275.00. So for everyone worrying about spying, for this vehicle you got to opt-in and pay extra for it.
https://www.slate.auto/en/store/ACCIT010?fromCategoryId=accessories_interior&fromSubcategoryId=accessories_interior_tech
This! I’m probably ready to pay a bit more to NOT be under constant surveillance by a car maker!
I read that the telematics package is meant for fleets, not average buyers
For remote app to vehicle features:
Description A plug-and-play solution that acts as a cellular bridge between your smartphone and your Slate vehicle, unlocking features like remote access and battery pre-conditioning.
Product details Includes: One (1) Telematics Unit, complete with a one year service subscription for your vehicle. Fits all body styles.
I’d hope you can precondition your battery from within the truck as well.
Never mind the low price, not having that shit built in is the killer feature for me, making it the only new car I would even consider buying. (It’s just too bad they won’t have a 4x4 version for another couple of years.)
It is kinda good that there’s an optional module available, though, because it means there’s an interface that, in theory, a third-party module running Free Software could hook into.
You don’t need 4 wheel drive with an EV truck, the weight is properly distributed between the 4 wheels, not like stupid pickups that put all the weight over the wrong drive wheels.
A pickup is supposed to be used such that the weight is properly loaded. If you don’t have the back full of firewood or something else anyway you are doing it wrong.
Then again if you don’t have a full 8 foot bed you are doing it wrong, and those are almost impossible to buy.
I have a modern-ish F150 with a single cab and 8ft bed. I feel like I have the only one that isnt a company truck.
Pickups don’t need 4wd due to poor weight distribution, they need it for traction on loose surfaces.
JFC…take a physics class. The drive wheels are in back, the cab and motor are in front. Of course there is no traction, all the weight is at the wrong end and 99% of idiots who buy those trucks drive with empty beds.
My point is that 4WD is never used on pavement in pickups. Many pickups don’t even have 4WD and they do just fine, they have plenty of traction on pavement. Trucks don’t have 4WD due to weight distribution, they have it so people can take their trucks off the pavement. If you never intend to go off pavement, like so many pickup owners, you don’t need 4WD regardless of whether you’re in an ICE or EV truck. If you want to go offroad in an ICE or EV truck, you’ll want 4WD.
I have taken a few physics classes, was required to get some science credits to obtain my CS degree. I’m pretty sure they didn’t cover this concept as, well, duh.
There are tons of vehicles vehicles than can drive off road without 4WD. Most of Rally racing has been done with rear wheel drive vehicles, and they’re actually racing, not just casually driving. The reason a truck might not be able to handle it is because trucks are actually not set up well for it, unless they’re loaded. Like the comment above says, the weight distribution is bad for it, until you load the bed. This isn’t true for an EV truck. The weight is further back, so the rear wheels won’t lose traction as easily.
Anyone who thinks they need 4WD to off-road doesn’t know what they’re talking about. Can it help? Sure. Is it required? Far from it.
Saying 4WD helps offroad is the understatement of the century.
I’ve extensively offroaded in vehicles that aren’t really built for going offroad - a Subaru Loyale 4x4 with/without a rear locker, a lifted Crown Vic, and a lifted P2 Volvo XC70. The crown vic was so much less capable than the stock Subaru Loyale or the Volvo, even with the trunk full of weight, due to it being RWD. It was all about speed and momentum to get up hills, whereas the Volvo can just crawl up stuff. The Subaru can’t crawl up stuff, as it’s a manual and doesn’t have the low range gearbox, but as long as you stay in the power band of 1st gear it’s unstoppable in places the crown vic would be totally spinning out. I always called the crown vic the hammer of offroading, since you kinda were just forced to send it up every steep hill.
I do if I want to take it on proper off-road trails, mudding and rock-crawling and such.
Absolutely this!
I’m fairly sure that the aftermarket will sort out 4x4 situation
The aftermarket is not going to make an entirely different drive train.
If there is enough money they will. Though I agree with your doubt that enough people will buy this to make it worth it.
Maybe not for an ICE, but it wouldn’t be hard for an EV
I’m fairly sure some spying is required by law, like the new driver cam legislation. Wonder how they’ll get past that.
The driver cam does not need Internet connectivity to meet the new standards.
I was wondering about that 2027 legislation and how this vehicle is affected. I didn’t see anything. Maybe that’s a next year production problem.
It goes into effect September 2027 and I’m guessing there will be a price increase.
Very interesting indeed.