Extra, Extra....Read All About It!

[THil08]

The 90mph is definitely an issue, what happens if I want to Baja it at 100+ mph? I hope Scout’s don’t cap out at a stupid low number.

I also saw a good comment on YouTube, that Slate we’ll be another Fisker. If they can’t deliver on the price point.

That’s something that RJ from Rivian needs to understand about flooding the EV market with more and more companies, yes is it good for competition, but as each company fails it hurts the economy and market.

 

[eddiet1212]

What would you name the Slate?​

“Blank Stare”

​

“…Slate is telling customers that they can name the car whatever they want, offering the ability to purchase an embossed wrap for the tailgate…”

​

Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla | TechCrunch

A new American electric vehicle startup called Slate Auto has made its debut, and it's about as anti-Tesla as it gets. It's affordable, deeply

techcrunch.com

 

[THil08]

What would you name the Slate?​

“Blank Stare”

​

“…Slate is telling customers that they can name the car whatever they want, offering the ability to purchase an embossed wrap for the tailgate…”

​

Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck that is decidedly anti-Tesla | TechCrunch

A new American electric vehicle startup called Slate Auto has made its debut, and it's about as anti-Tesla as it gets. It's affordable, deeply

techcrunch.com

"Cheap Skate" is what i would name mine hahaha.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

I think it looks cool and the customization is absolutely crazy but… I’m not 100% sold on it. I can however see someone leasing one and then getting a Scout because who wouldn’t want one

 

[eddiet1212]

Slate or Yugo?

My Honda Pioneer 1000 SxS has a towing capacity of 2500 pounds & payload capacity of 1000 pounds


PRICE, SPECS, FEATURES:

$20,000 base model after federal incentives
$50 to reserve (link to reservation page)
2-doors
2-seats (convertible to 5 seats)
RWD
Single electric motor
Target range:
- 150 miles (standard 52.7 kWh battery)
- 240 miles (large 84.3 kWh battery)
Optional larger 84.3-kWh pack can be purchased from factory but also upgraded later
201 hp and 195 lb-ft torque
0-60mph in 8.0 seconds
Top speed: 90 mph
NACS charging port
Maximum charge speed: 120 kW
20-80% charge in under 30 minutes
Rear suspension: coil springs
Towing capacity: 1000 lbs
Payload capacity: 1433 lbs
Curb weight: 3,602 lbs
174.6-inch length
108.9-inch wheelbase
5' five-foot bed length. P
Frunk space: 7 cu ft of storage

Ability to change body styles via "flat-pack accessory SUV kit" to transform the Slate truck into a five-seat SUV. Can be self-installed, or via service offered by Slate Auto.
- SUV kit includes roll cage, rear seat bench and airbags, and body cap shell
- 2 top styles: fastback style and square style

No exterior paint. Slate is designed to be wrapped and company will be selling wrap kits as an accessory.

Central instrument cluster shows speed, range and backup camera view, but no central infotainment screen or on board navigation.

Comes with phone mount and USB power to mount your phone or a tablet to the dash.
Slate will be controlled via your phone/tablet app (including audio controls).

Crank windows (available power windows kit option)

Air conditioning / HVAC is manually controlled via three knobs in the center of the dash.

Cruise control is onboard and activated via steering wheel buttons.

Safety
Active emergency braking
Forward collision warning
Up to eight airbags.
Designed to achieve the highest safety ratings in crashes

Order / Purchase / Service / Delivery
Direct-to-consumer sales via online process
Can take delivery near your home
Service needs will be handled by an yet unnamed partner
Reservation costs $50 (refundable)
Slate starts shipping to buyers in the fourth quarter of 2026

 

[THil08]

My mini countryman has a tow capacity of 3,307lbs. Which is about 300lbs short of its curb weight. My mini is more practical than the Slate, pretty sad on Slate.

 

[TigerEyeJazz]

My mini countryman has a tow capacity of 3,307lbs. Which is about 300lbs short of its curb weight. My mini is more practical than the Slate, pretty sad on Slate.

Also those charging numbers are horrendous. I get they are doing it to be affordable but damn it’s bad plus no infotainment is a huge dealbreaker.

 

[LastDayScout]

I do not love that this is a Bezos mobile, but it is exactly what the market needs. The USA absolutely needs lower priced EVs and absolutely needs smaller vehicles. If you need to tow often, this is not the vehicle. But, compare it to the Ford Maverick. It competes pretty well and the Maverick sells well.

 

[cyure]

I do not love that this is a Bezos mobile, but it is exactly what the market needs. The USA absolutely needs lower priced EVs and absolutely needs smaller vehicles. If you need to tow often, this is not the vehicle. But, compare it to the Ford Maverick. It competes pretty well and the Maverick sells well.

I really think it has the potential to do well in a younger demographic. They can wrap it crazy colors and name it something fun. I wonder how many kids don’t even know what a crank window is.

 

[THil08]

Fisker tried to start the cheap trend and failed miserably. And many others as well. I wish Slate the best, but if history teached us anything about cheap EVs, normally don’t work out here in the US. But maybe this will shift the average cost of a vehicle down.

 

[MasterSpam]

https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-agency-ease-self-driving-vehicle-deployment-hurdles-retain-reporting-rules-2025-04-24/

What’s everyone’s thoughts? Beside that this could be highly dangerous. Do we think it will help us push forwards with autonomous driving?

Not interested in a self driving car and don't really want to have an incident with one either.

 

[MasterSpam]

Out of Spec has a video up already.

Not a fan of the look. Not intresetd in an EV truck in any case. WOW.... CRANK windows! Sounds like a true Lego vehicle which is kinda cooll. I can see the apeal to the younger set, of which I am no longer a part of... The second row seat version reminds me so much of my old Bronco II.

 

[dreamweaver]

Slate or Yugo?


View attachment 6289
View attachment 6290

My Honda Pioneer 1000 SxS has a towing capacity of 2500 pounds & payload capacity of 1000 pounds


PRICE, SPECS, FEATURES:

$20,000 base model after federal incentives
$50 to reserve (link to reservation page)
2-doors
2-seats (convertible to 5 seats)
RWD
Single electric motor
Target range:
- 150 miles (standard 52.7 kWh battery)
- 240 miles (large 84.3 kWh battery)
Optional larger 84.3-kWh pack can be purchased from factory but also upgraded later
201 hp and 195 lb-ft torque
0-60mph in 8.0 seconds
Top speed: 90 mph
NACS charging port
Maximum charge speed: 120 kW
20-80% charge in under 30 minutes
Rear suspension: coil springs
Towing capacity: 1000 lbs
Payload capacity: 1433 lbs
Curb weight: 3,602 lbs
174.6-inch length
108.9-inch wheelbase
5' five-foot bed length. P
Frunk space: 7 cu ft of storage

Ability to change body styles via "flat-pack accessory SUV kit" to transform the Slate truck into a five-seat SUV. Can be self-installed, or via service offered by Slate Auto.
- SUV kit includes roll cage, rear seat bench and airbags, and body cap shell
- 2 top styles: fastback style and square style

No exterior paint. Slate is designed to be wrapped and company will be selling wrap kits as an accessory.

Central instrument cluster shows speed, range and backup camera view, but no central infotainment screen or on board navigation.

Comes with phone mount and USB power to mount your phone or a tablet to the dash.
Slate will be controlled via your phone/tablet app (including audio controls).

Crank windows (available power windows kit option)

Air conditioning / HVAC is manually controlled via three knobs in the center of the dash.

Cruise control is onboard and activated via steering wheel buttons.

Safety
Active emergency braking
Forward collision warning
Up to eight airbags.
Designed to achieve the highest safety ratings in crashes

Order / Purchase / Service / Delivery
Direct-to-consumer sales via online process
Can take delivery near your home
Service needs will be handled by an yet unnamed partner
Reservation costs $50 (refundable)
Slate starts shipping to buyers in the fourth quarter of 2026

These specification make me laugh. I think the price is to high even ay $20k.

 

[cyure]

These specification make me laugh. I think the price is to high even ay $20k.

I’m sorry maybe $15 for what they are offering. You can get cars for about $20 that have way more than that. I know they aren’t trucks but Hyundai and Chevy have cars in the low $20s. I think it’s the crank windows that get me. Come on.

 

[MasterSpam]

I really think it has the potential to do well in a younger demographic. They can wrap it crazy colors and name it something fun. I wonder how many kids don’t even know what a crank window is.

I didn't notice if this is 2x or 4x? Did I miss that?

 

[cyure]

I didn't notice if this is 2x or 4x? Did I miss that?

Rear wheel drive. No thank you. And I just read a blurb online that they are going to make it so easy to work on you can just do it yourself with their videos even for warranty work. They are trying to get customers to do their own warranty repairs? No thanks.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

I didn't notice if this is 2x or 4x? Did I miss that?

It's only RWD.

I like the idea and it is more of the kind of vehicle I'm looking for. A basic, inexpensive, rugged, repairable EV. I just wish it had dual motor AWD and four doors. I'm also concerned about the crashworthiness. I don't see how the rear seats or passenger have airbags. I'm tempted to put down a $50 reservation and see what happens but the Scouts seem to be more of what I'm looking for.

Still, at half the price of a Scout the Slate is interesting...

And the SUV kit makes it look like a Land Rover which is kinda cool. I just wish it has dual motors.

 

[MasterSpam]

Rear wheel drive. No thank you. And I just read a blurb online that they are going to make it so easy to work on you can just do it yourself with their videos even for warranty work. They are trying to get customers to do their own warranty repairs? No thanks.

Wasn't all that interested before, but 2x drive? Nope. Also, You start having non- electrical, non- tech people mess around with batteries of this kind of power, you're going to get people killed. I can see the huge legal settlements crippling the company if self service is true. Watching a video is not enough.

 

[cyure]

It's only RWD.

I like the idea and it is more of the kind of vehicle I'm looking for. A basic, inexpensive, rugged, repairable EV. I just wish it had dual motor AWD and four doors. I'm also concerned about the crashworthiness. I don't see how the rear seats or passenger have airbags. I'm tempted to put down a $50 reservation and see what happens but the Scouts seem to be more of what I'm looking for.

Still, at half the price of a Scout the Slate is interesting...

And the SUV kit makes it look like a Land Rover which is kinda cool. I just wish it has dual motors.

It says when you install that top to make it a SUV there’s some sort of airbags built into a piece that has to be installed and it has to be installed correctly in order for the vehicle to turn on.

I’m sure it has a place but I just know it’s not my cup of tea.

 

[THil08]

If I was in the market for a truck I would put out the $50 on the table, but my Silverado is standing strong. And beats this thing out any day of the week.