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Thoughts on the SLATE EV Truck?
- Thread starter redriderbob
- Start date
patfromigh
Well-known member
I have been discussing the SLATE EV pickup in other threads. My first thought is that it has sparked a conversation about simplicity over complexity, affordability, and even necessity. That particular conversation will continue whether or not the SLATE is successful. I'm also very curious about the Auburn Hills connection to this project. I also posted my suspicions about that as well in other threads.
I have spent a lot of time recently house sitting in a major metropolitan area which is a big blue spot on the prairie. The house was a few miles from the CBD and a mile from a bank of EV-Go charging stations sharing a parking lot with a McDonalds. In that neighborhood there are a significant number of EVs. The SLATE could easily fit into such an environment. It will probably fit into a rural environment where more people have space for off the street parking to implement home charging.
It is ironic that one of the early selling points of battery electric vehicles was simplicity, but then over the years as each new model and brand was introduced, BEVs became more complex. The SLATE is the anti-Hummer EV.
Historically there have been blank slates offered by various manufacturers in the past. Example of such vehicles are the original IH Scout, first generation Ford Bronco, Chevy Blazer, Dodge Ram Charger (1974-80), Plymouth Trail Duster, and the 1967-73 Jeepster Commando.
Did you notice the Slate website, under the "events" menu, that the SLATE tour will be in Detroit on June 21st?
TripleT
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So sometimes this Forum confuses me... Are we for EV adoption or Not.... I can't tell.
Tesla came in at the top of the Market, then the mid upper. But true adoption requires the bottom of the market and competition with the Used car market.
Despite the first offerings, which makes sense to drive captital for investment. EV are way simpler to develop and manufacture.
The Chinese discovered this long ago, with entries in the market now that offer viable transportation in the $7500 range. The produced true adoption as the entry into the new car market under a used ICE vehicle.
Buuuuttttttttttttttt they also did this with charging infrastructure into Shopping and Apartment parking structures.
Slate is that model, and if STLA sits on it hands like it didn't as a impossible upstart became the best selling vehicle in the world, it again will see it Market share shrink.
They already have the platform. Launch and make it so, another upstart shouldn't be able to do this other than intrenched management thinking.
Tesla came in at the top of the Market, then the mid upper. But true adoption requires the bottom of the market and competition with the Used car market.
Despite the first offerings, which makes sense to drive captital for investment. EV are way simpler to develop and manufacture.
The Chinese discovered this long ago, with entries in the market now that offer viable transportation in the $7500 range. The produced true adoption as the entry into the new car market under a used ICE vehicle.
Buuuuttttttttttttttt they also did this with charging infrastructure into Shopping and Apartment parking structures.
Slate is that model, and if STLA sits on it hands like it didn't as a impossible upstart became the best selling vehicle in the world, it again will see it Market share shrink.
They already have the platform. Launch and make it so, another upstart shouldn't be able to do this other than intrenched management thinking.
WXman
Active member
We are not for EV adoption if by "adoption" you mean "mandated" which is what our previous administration was trying to do. Nobody wants expensive and inconvenient vehicles forced upon them. If companies want to try and make EVs they can sell, let them go for it. Capitalism. But the government needs to stay out of it.
As far as the Slate goes, it will sell well if it's reliable. Cheap is what EV should be all about. If there is no savings then there's no point. We already have well established ICE trucks and SUVs that get the job done for many years of ownership. Sell this little EV truck at dirt cheap prices and if it's reliable it will earn a following.
As far as the Slate goes, it will sell well if it's reliable. Cheap is what EV should be all about. If there is no savings then there's no point. We already have well established ICE trucks and SUVs that get the job done for many years of ownership. Sell this little EV truck at dirt cheap prices and if it's reliable it will earn a following.
patfromigh
Well-known member
The irony is that the end of EV mandates will save EVs. I admit I'm biased, I always favor engineers over the lawyers from government agencies when designing motor vehicles. The Net Zero mandates are pure madness and I'm glad the US is finding an off-ramp. It might be too late for the EU after what happened after the blackouts in Spain, Portugal, and Western France. The EU nations also face an unrealistic timeline to kill the petro fueled IC engine.
I'm totally puzzled why the philosophy of filling in the entry level price tier with battery electric drive vehicles, which has taken hold in the Stellantis European operations, has never crossed the pond. Dodge management is fixated on expensive electric muscle cars, while Jeep isn't far behind in the price or weight of their new battery electric models. Stellantis first took an easy way out with the eCMP based products, but later the lower price Smart based products, while still small, show potential as an idea which could take hold in our market.
It is absolutely wrong for the government to compete against private business with the EV charging giveaway. I have to laugh at a millionaire, sitting in a $114,000 Hummer EV, whining on a YouTube video because the Bad Orange Man cancelled government subsidized charging facilities. In the absence of government interference, private charging networks are blooming. The IONNA charging infrastructure is under way and rapidly growing. Walmart is getting involved in the charging business, plus now both smaller networks and some independent efforts are taking root. The first Jeep Wagoneer S I've seen on the street was getting fueled up at the EV-Go station.
With less government interference, private innovation will lead the way. BEVs have established a beachhead in the domestic market and the growth of private charging networks will protect that market segment. It is OK to copy the Chinese, especially when it comes to charging at apartments and businesses and also EREV designs for where charging is hard to find. That's probably another thread.
I'm totally puzzled why the philosophy of filling in the entry level price tier with battery electric drive vehicles, which has taken hold in the Stellantis European operations, has never crossed the pond. Dodge management is fixated on expensive electric muscle cars, while Jeep isn't far behind in the price or weight of their new battery electric models. Stellantis first took an easy way out with the eCMP based products, but later the lower price Smart based products, while still small, show potential as an idea which could take hold in our market.
It is absolutely wrong for the government to compete against private business with the EV charging giveaway. I have to laugh at a millionaire, sitting in a $114,000 Hummer EV, whining on a YouTube video because the Bad Orange Man cancelled government subsidized charging facilities. In the absence of government interference, private charging networks are blooming. The IONNA charging infrastructure is under way and rapidly growing. Walmart is getting involved in the charging business, plus now both smaller networks and some independent efforts are taking root. The first Jeep Wagoneer S I've seen on the street was getting fueled up at the EV-Go station.
With less government interference, private innovation will lead the way. BEVs have established a beachhead in the domestic market and the growth of private charging networks will protect that market segment. It is OK to copy the Chinese, especially when it comes to charging at apartments and businesses and also EREV designs for where charging is hard to find. That's probably another thread.