The Jeff Bezos-backed startup finally revealed more pricing details for its debut EV, including a $29,950 starting price for the SUV variant, and boosted the base range to 205 miles.
It’s a barebones truck though. My expectation is that if they’re selling it to be modded, there’s no reason they can’t make the range better. They’re clearly going the planned obsolescence route to get people to upgrade their trucks down the line for more range. I’m just pissed they couldn’t make range be the number one priority… it’s smaller, but 2/3 as efficient as a model y, which has the same battery capacity and 3x the towing capacity
It’s an EV.
In order to be cost effective, it has a limited range.
That said, it is very modular so if someone developed something like the International (VW) Scout Harvester for it (essentially turning it into a PHEV), it would have much more range.
Increasing battery capacity also increases weight which decreases efficiency.
At a certain point, adding batteries actually decreases range because you are using more energy to move a larger load.
That said, you would exceed the Payload of Slate before you got to that point.
I was thinking of a small generator like the International Harvester in the Frunk, like the Scout.
Despite the inefficiency of ICE, Petrol is still the most readily available, energy dense portable fuel source.
New future battery technology may change that…
“Very modular” sounds like a bad thing to me, if the essential part’s and pieces that make it “go” don’t meet the minimum expectations of a gas powered vehicle in the same price range (plus 20%) then it’s DOA. If the platform is weak then adding stuff is only going to make it worse.
Sort of like buying a 2010 Ford Ranger 4cyl 2wd then putting side steps, spot lights, aftermarket heated seats, aftermarket stereo, lift spacers, and fat tires. But at the end of the day, you’re still driving a piece of crap.
I’m not recommending a GM LSX connected to a generator, and I’m not recommending a Honda Eu22i either. Something purpose built to backup the battery that can provide 7kW/h to the battery, just to top it up as necessary.
The Slate is designed to be an EV from the ground up.
(We don’t know how well designed, until they are actually available). They are also designed to be customised to suit the use case. Adding accessories will compromise on other aspects of the vehicle; changing it into a wagon with rear seats means you won’t be able to carry large items, but you will be able to carry a couple extra passengers.
It’s not meant to be a towing machine. It’s meant for people who want something to haul a toilet or a washing machine from the local Ace, and likely commute with it, too. Same group as those who use minivans for their utility. Like me.
Why is it that everyone thinks “has a bed” means that it has to be able to tow its entire weight?
Just different use cases. I literally never use the bed of my truck for hauling except super rare instances like you mentioned, maybe once a year. Towing is something I want to do 2-4 times a month, at least.
There you go. I rarely tow shit (maybe a thousand pounds once a year, tops), but I need to be able to carry random large-ish things here and there all the time, including motorcycles, appliances, a couch, etc… My minivan is perfect for that kind of stuff. And honestly, for those who don’t tow much, a minivan really is the perfect utility vehicle.
The idea here is that you can work with different solutions to deal with not having a bed, but you cannot ever increase your towing capacity, for insurance reasons.
I’d happily pay 35k for twice the range, but that’s not on offer… also, the towing capacity is a dealbreaker.
I mean… Twice the range is 410 miles. The cheapest EV with that range is like $70k? Yeah I’d pay $35k for twice the range too.
It’s a barebones truck though. My expectation is that if they’re selling it to be modded, there’s no reason they can’t make the range better. They’re clearly going the planned obsolescence route to get people to upgrade their trucks down the line for more range. I’m just pissed they couldn’t make range be the number one priority… it’s smaller, but 2/3 as efficient as a model y, which has the same battery capacity and 3x the towing capacity
Lease returned Lucids are sub $50k for 500+
True, but I’m talking about new cars.
It’s an EV. In order to be cost effective, it has a limited range.
That said, it is very modular so if someone developed something like the International (VW) Scout Harvester for it (essentially turning it into a PHEV), it would have much more range.
What if I fill the bed up to the cargo capacity of the vehicle in nothing but batteries? :D
Then you have the same problem with all EVs.
Increasing battery capacity also increases weight which decreases efficiency.
At a certain point, adding batteries actually decreases range because you are using more energy to move a larger load.
That said, you would exceed the Payload of Slate before you got to that point.
I was thinking of a small generator like the International Harvester in the Frunk, like the Scout.
Despite the inefficiency of ICE, Petrol is still the most readily available, energy dense portable fuel source. New future battery technology may change that…
“Very modular” sounds like a bad thing to me, if the essential part’s and pieces that make it “go” don’t meet the minimum expectations of a gas powered vehicle in the same price range (plus 20%) then it’s DOA. If the platform is weak then adding stuff is only going to make it worse.
Sort of like buying a 2010 Ford Ranger 4cyl 2wd then putting side steps, spot lights, aftermarket heated seats, aftermarket stereo, lift spacers, and fat tires. But at the end of the day, you’re still driving a piece of crap.
If the base parts aren’t great then why bother.
I’m not recommending a GM LSX connected to a generator, and I’m not recommending a Honda Eu22i either. Something purpose built to backup the battery that can provide 7kW/h to the battery, just to top it up as necessary.
The Slate is designed to be an EV from the ground up. (We don’t know how well designed, until they are actually available). They are also designed to be customised to suit the use case. Adding accessories will compromise on other aspects of the vehicle; changing it into a wagon with rear seats means you won’t be able to carry large items, but you will be able to carry a couple extra passengers.
It’s not meant to be a towing machine. It’s meant for people who want something to haul a toilet or a washing machine from the local Ace, and likely commute with it, too. Same group as those who use minivans for their utility. Like me.
Why is it that everyone thinks “has a bed” means that it has to be able to tow its entire weight?
Just different use cases. I literally never use the bed of my truck for hauling except super rare instances like you mentioned, maybe once a year. Towing is something I want to do 2-4 times a month, at least.
There you go. I rarely tow shit (maybe a thousand pounds once a year, tops), but I need to be able to carry random large-ish things here and there all the time, including motorcycles, appliances, a couch, etc… My minivan is perfect for that kind of stuff. And honestly, for those who don’t tow much, a minivan really is the perfect utility vehicle.
The idea here is that you can work with different solutions to deal with not having a bed, but you cannot ever increase your towing capacity, for insurance reasons.