Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

slate.auto

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

21–30 of 524 posts

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#21

Post by gwd »

I like the idea, but the "About" page triggers some warning bells: "We’re not trying to make this about us. BECAUSE SLATE IS ALL ABOUT YOU."

I mean, that's fine, but... I am on your "About" page, that's because I actually want to know about you. How can I trust you with $25k if all I know is "We’re designed in California and Michigan, engineered in Michigan, and assembled in the Midwest. And our team is spread across the entire country, from Washington state to Florida" ?

What's your funding? Who owns you? Who's the CEO? What are the credentials of your engineers? Basically, why should I believe that you can pull this off?

https://www.slate.auto/en/about

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#22

Post by brendoelfrendo »

deadbabe wrote: post #7

That deeply undercuts Rivian.

You wouldn't cross-shop a Rivian and a Slate. The Rivian is a high-end luxury vehicle with a laundry list of features, including things like self-driving. The Slate is literally the opposite: it has a laundry list of things it doesn't have and, indeed, its lack of features is part of the sales pitch.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#23

Post by jollyllama »

x187463 wrote: post #10

These things remind me of my dad's 90's ford ranger. I would love a small functional pickup. I don't need to drive a battle-tank around town. If all works out for these trucks, it's a top contender for my money in the near future.

> my dad's 90's ford ranger

The only reason it takes an EV to get this is CAFE.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#24

Post by dwa3592 »

It's at the second to last page where it says it's an EV. I didn't know and had to scroll down. Also there is no mention of range on one charge, which I think is a miss. The range (especially for an EV) must be on the landing page.

The modular design is cool though.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#25

Post by alistairSH »

for_i_in_range wrote: post #11

If not bankrupt in three years like Lucid and Rivian, I'll still buy a Cybercab instead. Also, I hope they succeed. There's definitely a market for them.

I'll be amazed if Tesla meets their sub-$30k target for the cab. But stranger things have happened.

And the Slate should have better utility, for anybody who needs a truck/SUV vs coupe. And also comes without the Musk stigma.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#27

Post by close04 »

whycome wrote: post #12

I don’t care that it’s EV. I’m just stoked that they’re making an actually modular system like this. I don’t know why it’s not possible with other cars.

The modularity is there with classic manufacturers too, just not "exposed" to the buyer. Cars use a common platform and you can still buy the classic or fastback, different styling packages, but you won't be able to self service them after the sale. I don't really know how much Slate is the Framework of the auto world, and how much it's just customization options at purchase time.

Most people who buy a car would never be bothered to "tweak" it later, upgrade, add stuff. Modularity also constrains the design and could add some reliability issues.

The biggest benefit would be home repairability so I think that's a big driver for why other manufacturers don't do it. EVs already require less maintenance so that's lost revenue.

P.S. Looking at the options on the site, other than the body style everything else is just as easy to have on any other car. Most of the customization is purely esthetic (wraps, decals, rim options, light plates) and even the practical options like light bars or roof racks are common in the OEM world for any classic brand.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#28

Post by gwd »

fwipsy wrote: post #6
coldpie wrote: post #3

Interested to see how this turns out. I'd like to see a size comparison. Is this actually a reasonably-sized vehicle, like a pre-2000 pickup, or just a cheap modern monster truck? Sadly it's not on carsized.com (yet). If the company is still around 5 years from now, I could see myself getting one of these to replace our current "compact" (but still enormous) SUV.

https://www.slate.auto/en they have a size comparison if you scroll down about 3 pages.

Yeah, really enjoyed the size comparison.

Re: Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

#29

Post by nashashmi »

whycome wrote: post #12

I don’t care that it’s EV. I’m just stoked that they’re making an actually modular system like this. I don’t know why it’s not possible with other cars.

It makes sense for a utility truck to be modular. I cant say the same for vans and sedans.
Post reply on HN