Slate Pickup Truck
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357-RevolverGuy
Member
Interesting. I probably won't ever own an EV, but if a manufacturer out there built a bare bones small/mid size gas pickup for under $20k, I'd be all over that. Manual windows and locks, 5 speed manual, no touch screens or gadgets, and a bench seat.
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Plastic body panels a la the defunct Saturns which held up well for a 22 yr. old vehicle.
Not fully EV but I'd consider a Slate in a hybrid despite the short bed and minimal payload capacity.
Not fully EV but I'd consider a Slate in a hybrid despite the short bed and minimal payload capacity.
The range with the optional battery pack isn't bad. Bed length and payload aren't thrilling, but the price looks OK. Projected range might work for me, but wonder what it is with the heat/AC running? Replacement cost of the battery pack? Maybe worth a look after 3 years of so of production to work out the bugs that are in all new products. Owners do stuff designers never imagine.
Not to me!
OP
I'm thinking the people that run the roads with UTV's and golf carts would find these interesting. Heck, I would not mind having one for the 10-mile round trip to my camp...throw the cooler and fishing poles in the back, leave the F250 at home.
I see a place for these.
For instance, I put WAY too many miles on my expensive big truck.
I could buy one of these for grocery getting and gun clubbing and such. I'm the range officer at our club and make many round trips. They come standard with aircondlting (a must down here). Super inexpensive to operate locally.
IF they can be had for less than $20K.
That would allow me to park my big truck until needed. Big truck ain't cheap!
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For instance, I put WAY too many miles on my expensive big truck.
I could buy one of these for grocery getting and gun clubbing and such. I'm the range officer at our club and make many round trips. They come standard with aircondlting (a must down here). Super inexpensive to operate locally.
IF they can be had for less than $20K.
That would allow me to park my big truck until needed. Big truck ain't cheap!
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Not until the get deal-ships set up. But it does look kinda neat.
bbqsauce
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Truck prices (cars in general) are out of control. I think others will like the ability to toy with their setup to whatever color, allowing the company to make some profit off of the consumer.
I need to haul some mulch and soil - I think this and the Ford Maverick, if they can continue decent reliability, will continue to find a place. I miss the smaller trucks. I don't need a 50-70k truck
I need to haul some mulch and soil - I think this and the Ford Maverick, if they can continue decent reliability, will continue to find a place. I miss the smaller trucks. I don't need a 50-70k truck
I’ll wait. To me it sounds like the elio. A funky little electric car that’s coming out day after never. They took my F-I-L for a few thousand $ on a deposit, which evidently evaporated. I used to needle him about it and ask when he’s taking delivery, but started feeling bad and stopped. And this thing’s uglier than a rivian!
Jon651
Member
My only problem with all-electric pickup trucks is the severe decrease in mileage/range when towing or hauling a load. The drop in efficiency is ridiculous. As an example, my 2024 Chevy Silverado 2500HD crew cab diesel loses 1/3 of it's available mileage when towing my 8500# camper, but the Tesla Cybertruck (which weighs just as much but costs more) loses nearly 3/4 of it's available mileage towing the same load - and is nowhere near as capable. I use the CT as an example only because that is what I have seen data for, but the same is true for all the rest.I have to admit I'm intrigued by a bare bones EV pickup for under $20k. I think when these things hit the market they will sell.
I've already decided that as long as I own trailers/campers I will never own an all-electric pickup. In the future I might settle for a hybrid motor in one or better yet a diesel-electric power plant like you see in locomotives, but an all-electric truck is a non-starter for me.
OP
At least its not as ugly as the Tesla Cyber Truck...those things are worse than ugly, they are fugly.
OP
Agree, but I think these things will appeal to a different customer...people that don't use a truck in the ways you do and are only looking for a reasonably priced toy.
Interesting concept for the a low budget truck. The Maverick started out at a little over 20K, but now has climbed upward. The folks I've talked to about the Maverick say they are getting 45-48 MPG with their Hybrid and are happy with performance and abilities for the vehicle size and power.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
I am still of the belief that we are a long way from an electric vehicle that will perform to the same levels as a gas or diesel powered machine. Like with firearms, we didn't go from matchlocks to Mausers overnight.
To me at this point, they are still golf carts on steriods IMHO. They have their niche, but they aren't mainstream yet. BTW EV's have been around for well over a century.
IMHO many of us that own pickups are traditionalists who want a truck that looks and behaves like a truck. In many mindsets, the pickup is the modern day horse with most used for work. The small trucks and kei vehicles that are starting to become regular sights are good for small tasks, couriers and the like.
Here's an idea for all of these EV manufactorers who want to enter the truck market. First, make it affordable. Second, make it a hybrid with a small gas or diesel engine turning a generator and have two power packs...each pack giving three hundred mile range. When one gets low, transfer to the next power pack is instant and the generator system recharges it. Third, make it easy to service and maintain. Fourth, make it look like a truck albeit with modern materials and equipment. An example would be a Dodge Power Wagon circa 1953 with four doors.
Just my 0.02c
To me at this point, they are still golf carts on steriods IMHO. They have their niche, but they aren't mainstream yet. BTW EV's have been around for well over a century.
IMHO many of us that own pickups are traditionalists who want a truck that looks and behaves like a truck. In many mindsets, the pickup is the modern day horse with most used for work. The small trucks and kei vehicles that are starting to become regular sights are good for small tasks, couriers and the like.
Here's an idea for all of these EV manufactorers who want to enter the truck market. First, make it affordable. Second, make it a hybrid with a small gas or diesel engine turning a generator and have two power packs...each pack giving three hundred mile range. When one gets low, transfer to the next power pack is instant and the generator system recharges it. Third, make it easy to service and maintain. Fourth, make it look like a truck albeit with modern materials and equipment. An example would be a Dodge Power Wagon circa 1953 with four doors.
Just my 0.02c
At least, no one will be stealing these Slates.
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We need to repeal the various laws/rules/regulations that prevent the import, and selling of the old “small pick ups.” (Think what the Toyota Pick Up was before they had names, like Tacoma.)
I think it’s called “the chicken tax”, among other rules and regs.
Yup…
en.wikipedia.org
I think it’s called “the chicken tax”, among other rules and regs.
Yup…
Chicken tax - Wikipedia
Countrycuz
Member
As much as we all say new trucks cost too much,( including me), I don't think this is a big market. The last new truck I bought was a "leftover" from the last model year. It had been sitting on the lot for months and pushed back by the new model year trucks. The dealer claimed it wasn't what most buyers wanted.
Standard seat, rubber floor, but with enough hauling and towing capacity for me. If you look at the lots and what's selling, I'm not sure of the market for a small, regular cab, 2 wheel drive, limited range EV.
Standard seat, rubber floor, but with enough hauling and towing capacity for me. If you look at the lots and what's selling, I'm not sure of the market for a small, regular cab, 2 wheel drive, limited range EV.
$20k buys a lot of gas.
