Slate EV truck starts at $24,950

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Pricing & Market Positioning

  • Base price of ~$25k seen as aggressive for a US-made EV truck, but “pretty inexpensive” is contested; several argue $35k (with common options) is not affordable for much of the population.
  • Compared more to Ford Maverick / compact trucks and used EVs than to Rivian or Tesla; many note you wouldn’t realistically cross‑shop those segments.
  • Some think value eroded after loss of federal EV incentives; a hybrid Maverick at a similar price is seen as strong competition.

Size, Utility & Towing

  • Praised for being “human-scale” and reminiscent of 1990s compact pickups (Ranger/B-series), addressing frustration with oversized modern trucks.
  • Bed is short and towing capacity (~2,000 lb) is called inadequate for “real truck” work but fine for light homeowner/DIY use.
  • Some tradespeople could see it as a city van / Maverick / Transit Connect alternative, but range and payload are concerns for high-mileage service work.

Range, Battery & Charging

  • Stated ~200–205 mile range is widely viewed as “low but usable” for daily use, marginal for US-style road trips or long service routes.
  • Uses LFP cells; several note you can comfortably use more of the pack (e.g., 10–100%), partly offsetting the lower nominal range.
  • 20–80% in ~30 minutes over 400 V seen as adequate but not class‑leading; some argue fast‑charge speed matters more than raw range after ~200 miles.

Modularity, Customization & Design

  • Strong interest in modular bodies (truck ↔ SUV/fastback/hatch‑like), DIY upgrades, and future reconfiguration, especially for first-time or budget buyers.
  • Others warn modularity can introduce leaks, rattles, and fit issues; pre‑production panel gaps already noticed.
  • Wrap-based color system and composite panels intrigue enthusiasts but DIY wrapping effort (12–16 hours, two people) is seen as unrealistic for most.

Safety, Drivetrain & Winter Use

  • Size/height praised relative to modern SUVs, but blunt, tall hood criticized for pedestrian safety.
  • Lack of AWD/4WD is a dealbreaker for mountain/winter buyers; RWD-only splits opinions even with expected rear weight from the pack.
  • Very little concrete crash-test information; several potential buyers call this their main hesitation.

Low-Tech Interior & Privacy

  • Absence of a central touchscreen, physical controls, crank windows, and claimed “no telemetry” attract people who dislike modern “rolling spyware.”
  • Some want an optional factory screen/CarPlay; others are excited to add their own Raspberry Pi–based systems.

Economics, Industry & Viability

  • Thread debates EV economics: cheaper fuel and lower maintenance vs. higher purchase price and insurance, plus infrastructure gaps.
  • Broader concerns raised about US manufacturing competitiveness, tariffs, and whether this price is sustainable.
  • Many are cautiously enthusiastic but worry about vaporware risk, long lead times (deliveries quoted into 2027), and whether the company will survive.