this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2025
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506
Slate, a customizable EV pickup for $20k (electrek.co)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by paequ2@lemmy.today to c/technology@lemmy.world
206 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Range

  • Small battery range: 240km
  • Big battery range: 385km

Motor

  • Motor: Single motor, rear wheel drive
  • Power: 150kW
  • Torque: 264Nm
  • 0-100km: 8s
  • Top speed: 145km/h

Dimensions

  • Bed length: 1.5m
  • Vehicle length: 4.4m
  • Vehicle height: 1.8m
  • Vehicle width: 1.8m

Comparison

  • 2025 Kia Niro length: 4.4m
  • 2025 Ford Maverick length: 5.1m
  • 1985 Toyota Pickup/Hilux length: 4.7m

Weights

  • Curb weight 1634kg
  • Max payload 650kg
  • Max towing 454kg

Charging

  • Port: NACS
  • Onboard charger: 11kW
  • Level 1 AC, 3.6kw, 20-100%: 11h
  • Level 2 AC, 11kW, 20-100%: under 5h
  • Level 3 DC, 120kW, 20-80%: under 30m

Safety

  • Traction Control
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Forward Collision Warning
  • Automatic Emergency Braking
  • 2-stage Driver/Passenger Airbags
  • Full Length Side Curtain Airbags (Truck 2) (SUV 4)
  • Seat Side Airbags (2)
  • Backup Camera
  • Pedestrian Identification
  • Auto High Beam

More info

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[–] simplejack@lemmy.world 141 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (60 children)

Aside from being backed by Bezos, this seems like Lemmy the car. Under 20K, an EV, no stupid touch screen, designed to be repaired and modded, and even crank windows.

I bet the catch, aside from Bezos, is the range or charge speed.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 107 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (23 children)

I don't think that it has a cell modem, either, because it sounds like it eschews a baked-in entertainment computer:

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck-revealed/

Roll-down windows come standard, as do manually adjustable rearview mirrors. An audio or infotainment system is noticeably missing, too. Instead, your cellphone or tablet serves these functions, with a dock for the former included and one for the latter available as an optional accessory. Better like the sound coming out from your phone or tablet's speakers, too, because the Slate lacks speakers, though the brand's accessory division will gladly hook you up with a set.

Honestly, if you took my last year of comments complaining about privacy-infringing cars and those complaining about changes to what a truck is, this does kind of look to be addressing both. Gotta see what the actual production vehicle is like in real life, of course, but...

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/advice/mini-truckin-returns-slate-unveils-old-school-style-affordable-electric-pickup

When I say the truck is small, I mean it. At 174.6 inches, it’s about 2 feet shorter in overall length than the 2025 Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. And to use the Wayback Machine to a time when compact pickups were actually compact, it’s roughly the same size as the compact pickups of 1980: the Toyota truck, Chevy LUV and Ford Courier. Notably, no other automakers have offered trucks of this size in America since the mid 1990s.

Yeah, like the "inexpensive, no-frills utility vehicle" that pickups originally were.

[–] Hubi 8 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I don't think that it has a cell modem, either

So it's not coming to Europe then.

[–] ramble81@lemm.ee 11 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Is there a requirement for big brother data tracking over there?

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 9 points 5 days ago (2 children)

Cars must be able to autonomously call emergency services. You don't need a SIM for that, or for that matter have the modem switched on all the time.

[–] futatorius@lemm.ee 2 points 4 days ago

...and that system is only activated in case of an accident. The spec explicitly states that there is no continuous tracking of vehicle position or other parameters.

[–] TheOSINTguy@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (3 children)

I'm from the states, but what's stopping one from removing the modem or snipping the antenna?

[–] barsoap@lemm.ee 4 points 5 days ago

Possibly, technical inspections. I'm not sure whether it's a requirement for cars to be street legal or just a requirement for cars to be sold on the market. The regulation only mentions that it's about type approval but it's not like modifying a car automatically nullifies its type approval.

Certainly would be hard to argue for authorities that snipping the eCall would endanger others, similar situation as with seat belts I don't think legislation is unified there.

[–] barryamelton@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 days ago

They sell emergency car lights that you pop up on top of the car ala secret police (but yellow). They have a modem that when activated automatically notifies the road services of you being there stopped.

[–] futatorius@lemm.ee -2 points 4 days ago

Why would you?

[–] Hubi 2 points 5 days ago

No but the emergency assistant system is required, and for that you need a cell modem.

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