Hoopty

I know what you’re thinking, “Great, another boutique Electric Vehicle startup promising the world and fizzling out just as fast as they appeared”.  And to be honest, I was thinking the same thing.  But I think this one can be different.  And not just because it is completely different from any small EV out there.  I think the reason the unnamed Slate Truck will be a commercial success is everything it does in spite of the broader EV market at large.  You won’t find a slightly rebranded AI assistant, self driving capability, giant TV like screen etc.  What you will find is something akin to the trusty Toyota T100 pickup.  A couple seats, a steering wheel, hand crank windows, and a whole lot of character.  

So what exactly makes this truck different from the others, and why am I so excited about it? Frankly, I’m a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to EVs.  I’m unphased by the gimmicks, screens, and all the rest.  I mean, sure at least you’ll be entertained with minesweeper on your 18” central command display when your battery runs out, but I just can’t get over the constant range anxiety.  I think we’re a few iterations away from the first good EV.  Battery technology just isn’t there yet.  So what is it about the Slate Truck that gets me excited?  The way it laughs in the face of opulence.  In the face of all of the distracting big screen schtick that most current generation cars, electrified or not seem to be embracing. What also sets the Slate Truck apart from the pack is its backing by Amazon.  This may end up being something you can just order right online.  Imagine that, order your truck online with two day Amazon Prime delivery.  

Now, for those of you who aren’t excited for the bare bones automotive experience, and are accustomed to the creature comforts that the more current generation of vehicles offers, fear not.  The Slate is completely customizable.  Want power windows? Got it.  Want a big screen on the dash? Got it, want an SUV conversion kit? Got that too.  Wheels, tires, color, all of the things you can customize on a car, Slate offers to its customers as well.  The difference is, that none of that is standard. And that’s okay.  Because of its bare bones approach, the price is completely reasonable.  While we don’t have an exact figure yet, Slate says mid 20s to start, and possibly below $20,000 with current government incentives.  What this means is for around the price of a Nissan Versa, you can get your very own Slate Truck.  And I know what I’d rather be seen in. 

Now, that’s not to say there’s nothing to the base model. Don’t be fooled by the Slate Truck’s sparse appearances. It is loaded with current generation safety features such as Pedestrian detection, Forward Collision Warning, Seat and Side Curtain Airbags, Traction Control, and much more. 

I do still have my skepticism.  However, I have taken a big dose of hopium with the Slate Truck.  My first concern is that Slate takes the same approach as Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid.  Locking down repairs and parts sales to only authorized repairers and leaving independent repairers and DIYers out of the equation.  What gives me cautious optimism is its customizability.  My hope is that it is less like Alienware and more like the right to repair friendly Framework laptop.  My second concern is that this is just another flash in the pan.  I just hope that the folks at Slate took a good lesson from the likes of Fisker, Lordstown, and Nikola, and do it right.  I do believe with Amazon’s backing this has a much higher chance for success.  However, that’s not a guarantee.  Slate has the opportunity to break the market.  To go against the grain and be absolutely brilliant at it.  They have the ingredients for the perfect storm.  And I’m anxiously looking forward to seeing how they use them.  

The Nuts and Bolts:

Power Plant: Single 150kw Electric Motor

Range: 150-240 mi (projected)

Max Payload: approx. 1400 lb.

Max Towing Capacity: approx. 1000 lb.

Cargo Space (Frunk): 7 cu. Ft.

Cargo Space (Pickup Bed): 35.1 cu. Ft