New basic EV truck

[Jstpssng]

If only it came with a gas engine.

I have to drive 20 miles to the nearest gas station, so a 2nd vehicle at this price point which can be charged at home would be convenient.

Still, if anybody didn't smile at your comment they probably should get their funny bone checked.

 

[5030]

If only it came with a gas engine.

Only gas it has is what you make yourself..lol

 

[ruffdog]

From the videos I've seen, the Slate is kind of a Transformer type of vehicle. Everything is designed to be taken apart by the owner, and able to switch it from a truck to an SUV by yourself. Having the rear wall come off to become an SUV seems like a genius idea.

I just saw that in this video. The rear window assy gets repurposed at the rear of the SUV kit.

 

[ultrarunner]

From Jay Leno

Yes 4x8 sheet fits in bed with tailgate up… plus a secure side to side tunnel and 2,000 payload.

 

[davrow]

From Jay Leno

Yes 4x8 sheet fits in bed with tailgate up… plus a secure side to side tunnel and 2,000 payload.

Yeah, but the Telo starts at $41,500

 

[jyoutz]

Air Conditioning??? OK, not bare-bones enough, I'm out.

I remember when my Dad bought a new Ford F100 in 1973 with almost no options, just power steering, 302, spare tire and chrome front bumper. I remember being disapointed when he added an aftermarket radio....

I had a 1978 F-100 like that. I also added a radio, and AC was 2/60.

 

[Runner]

Watched this video where these guys discussed the Slate compared to Maverick and others.

They also made an interesting point about why you can't buy small gas truck in the US any more: Because government regulations would require them to get 60 mpg based on size, number of seats etc. If that's true it is a shame.

 

[Oaktree]

I had a 1978 F-100 like that. I also added a radio, and AC was 2/60.

I had a '79 that was pretty strippo too, though it did have a radio (AM only). I replace that with an aftermarket stereo. No AC, but that's not a feature I have a lot of need for where I live.
I will say that truck had the wimpiest heater of any vehicle I've ever owned. I modified the heater box to accept the "heavy duty" heater core, but it still barely coped with temperatures much below 20 or so.

 

[5030]

One thing about the Slate I notice and that is the base price. Sounds good at 20 K but in reality, that is factoring in the Government rebate which can vanish at anu time. In reality, the base price for a really basic model is 27 grand. You don't get much for 27 grand, just the very basic vehicle.

 

[CPTKILLER]

The issue for me is the lack of EV Infrastructure here in Texas especially outside of major cities. That alone is a deal breaker for me.

 

[EddieWalker]

If I bought one, the only place it would be charged is at home. We would only use it for trips to town and back, which I think is where something like this is ideal. Never having to stop at the gas station, never having to change the oil, just plug it in, drive it, and plug it in again. I already added the wire for a 50 amp outlet at the garage door, so we could do something like this if it seems reliable and affordable. The more I read about it, the more I like it.

 

[ultrarunner]

I had a 1978 F-100 like that. I also added a radio, and AC was 2/60.

Dad had a 69 F100 and only option was V8

Three on the tree, one sun visor, no radio or power steering or AC, etc.

He traded it for a leaf spring 74 Chevrolet with auto, radio, power steering and A/C… we were living the life!

 

[Too many Kubotas]

They also made an interesting point about why you can't buy small gas truck in the US any more: Because government regulations would require them to get 60 mpg based on size, number of seats etc. If that's true it is a shame.

Unfortunately it is true. That's why we have so few 2-doors left, but plenty of crew cabs with minuscule beds.

 

[Runner]

Unfortunately it is true. That's why we have so few 2-doors left, but plenty of crew cabs with minuscule beds.

Results of out-of-control government

 

[not2old]

Unfortunately it is true. That's why we have so few 2-doors left, but plenty of crew cabs with minuscule beds.

I call those "cars with missing trunk lids".

 

[ponytug]

Regulations for light trucks is the same as passenger cars (CAFE). It isn't 60mpg, or we'd all be driving a 2cylinder Prius. The fleet mpg does rise over time, but a fuel efficient vehicle is a fuel efficient vehicle as far as the regulations go.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Runner]

Regulations for light trucks is the same as passenger cars (CAFE). It isn't 60mpg, or we'd all be driving a 2cylinder Prius. The fleet mpg does rise over time, but a fuel efficient vehicle is a fuel efficient vehicle as far as the regulations go.

All the best,

Peter

Have not verified what's in this article, but they sound like they know what they are talking about and they come to the conclusion that the Ranger would have to achieved 50mpg based on the CAFE formula.
"But the Ranger happens to fall into the “dead zone” of the CAFE footprint formula. Both curve graphs show a flat line at 55 square feet; in practical terms, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class carries this footprint. The Ranger, even in SuperCab configuration, has a footprint of 50 square feet, just short of the magic number. The best Ranger, fuel economy-wise, was a 4-cylinder manual truck, returning 22/27 mpg IRL; a respectable number, but one only available in a configuration that a minority of buyers would opt for. Equipped with a V6 and an automatic transmission, it would only return 14/18 mpg IRL, a figure that can be equalled by certain version of Ford’s V6 and V8 F-150 full-size pickups. By 2025, a theoretical Ranger with a footprint of 50 square feet would have to achieve fuel economy somewhere approaching 50 mpg CAFE. The 75 square foot F-150 would only have to reach in the high 30s CAFE."

How CAFE Killed Compact Trucks And Station Wagons

Close your eyes and imagine it’s 1979. A first-term Democratic president struggles with unemployment, malaise, high energy prices, and embassy trouble. The landscape of today looks like the landscape of then, but there’s one important thing missing: The compact pickup. Where did they go? The...

www.thetruthaboutcars.com

 

[quicksandfarmer]

They also made an interesting point about why you can't buy small gas truck in the US any more: Because government regulations would require them to get 60 mpg based on size, number of seats etc. If that's true it is a shame.

That isn't quite true.

Fuel economy regulations are created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They divide vehicles into passenger and non-passenger, there are a bunch of reasons a vehicle can be labeled as non-passenger, but one of them is that it can "Transport property on an open bed." So as long as there is a bed, of any size, it's a truck. Within the non-passenger category they're divided into light, medium and heavy, but that's entirely done by GVWR, with light being anything under 8500 lbs GVWR. Since the fuel economy standards are lower for medium weight trucks the manufacturers have an incentive to get the GVWR over 8500 lbs.

This is all in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations:

Federal Register :: Request Access

www.ecfr.gov

The fuel economy regulations don't care about the number of seats. What does care is tariffs, specifically the notorious "Chicken Tax." Chicken tax - Wikipedia

All cargo vehicles imported into the US are subject to a 25% tariff. The tax can be avoided if the vehicle has two rows of seats with seatbelts.

 

[2manyrocks]

If the Slate price is really $27k but federal tax credits bring it below $20k, that just seems like another government induced misallocation of resources, IMPO.

 

[John_Mc]

Datsun's 1980 pickup had a squarish body as did the International Scouts. The Slate body from the side view reminds me of the IH Scout body style.

VW now owns the rights to the old Scout name and intellectual property. They are starting up a new brand called the Scout: The Scout Terra is a pickup truck, and the Scout Traveler is an SUV. Unlike most other car makers who brought back some old names but resemble the original in name only, these Scouts actually are reminiscent of the original Scouts.

The big difference is that these are available as all battery-electric models with 350 miles range, or a series hybrid which will do 150 on battery alone or up to 500 with the fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. (In a series hybrid, the gas engine does not drive the wheels. It runs a generator to keep the battery charged. Wheels are driven only by the electric motor, unlike most of the hybrids on the road today.) Tentative tow ratings are 10,000# for the truck, 7000# for the SUV. The hybrid option is projected to drop the towing rating a bit.

These are projected to cost quite a bit more than the Slate truck, but then they are not bare bones vehicles either