Take a car with an internal combustion engine and replace everything that is needed for an electric car. Now you have a no-nonsense car.
Instead, we have a rolling data center that feels like a smartphone.
Take a car with an internal combustion engine and replace everything that is needed for an electric car. Now you have a no-nonsense car.
Instead, we have a rolling data center that feels like a smartphone.
I think that that’s kind of a problem with almost all new cars, not just EVs.
Slate’s a pretty stripped-down EV. It’s got a mount where you can stick a phone or tablet if you want, but nothing built-in.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slate_(vehicle)
No cell radio. Doesn’t even have power windows in the base configuration; it comes with air conditioning and air bags and that’s about it.
Note that the range is shorter than, say, a Tesla Model 3 or something.
Neat. And it looks like it’s only 50% more expensive compared to a comparable gas car, which is a huge improvement from the last time I looked.
The range is shorter than a Tesla but the price is about a third so it’s not so bad when you factor that in. I wish Slate success I really like their approach to the automobile, they remind me of Framework computer on wheels.
Yeah I hope they succeed: we really need something like that.
I understand why they’re building a truck but I really wish they hadn’t. With that low range and the suv/fastback kits being extra cost, it’s not as compelling to me as it should be
I know a part of me wonders if a two seat with flat bed pickup was significantly cheaper than a four seat car with trunk.
I know what you mean but it’s hard to believe.
However it’s easier to believe
Yeah I want an EV version the Bronco boom of the 70s. We got the Blazer and Scout too.
Or the Matra Rancho if you’re from France.
Hopefully a hot hatch revival can follow once the public gets a taste for simple cheaper EVs.
Probably the auto market has to fully collapse first though. And China is going to pick up tie pieces.
Give me AC, A heat pump, 300 miles of range. And two basic speakers. If it doesn’t make the 1998 beater i got when i was 19 look fully loaded it aint basic enough. I need to not die from the elements and for it to go from A to B while blasting low quality buttrock.
Well, that’s the Slate with a couple addons
Im sold the moment my current ev kicks the bucket I’m getting a slate.
Throw a second battery in the bed and you got the range.
Estimated range: 205 miles.
So real world 150, 100 in winter.
It would do better without the aero of a barn.
Let’s see what Slate actually sells, if they sell anything at all.
I believe that is a mistake, carplay and android auto are designed to work well when driving, my phone automatically removes all text message notifications and makes me not even notice getting texted to prevent me from getting distracted.
I would like a stripped down car that still has Carplay/Android Auto.
okay, so you can put your device into driving mode
seems like a non-issue
I’m pretty sure you can choose to install an entertainment center if you wish to. But why should those of us who do not want have to pay?
You can install head units into older cars easily to do this. Did it with my old Ute. Android auto for a song.
This would be solved by putting space in the dash for people to install their own head units.
Which they’re doing.
Didn’t look like it every time I checked
There’s a huge space in the dash, it’s basically a large glove box. A radio or screen can be hidden behind the door or built into it, whatever you prefer.
Choice and DIY is a big part of Slate’s thing. I don’t need or want a screen and would not like a car with a big space for one. I’ll add it later if I change my mind.
The images and wording are really vague and I couldn’t tell if it was for a head unit or just a bluetooth speaker like the electric microcars do.
Am I the only person who uses my phone as the head unit?
The guy I’m replying to already explained why that is suboptimal for him.
iOS has driving mode to stop distractions whether it’s on car play or not. But you have to turn it on.
Interesting. Android auto always makes me more distracted vs if the phone was just normal.
I’m not sure how that will be road legal in the USA because after the passage of a law in 2018 all vehicles under 10,000 lbs require a backup camera.
“Today’s final rule requires all vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, to come equipped with rear visibility technology that expands the field of view to enable the driver of a motor vehicle to detect areas behind the vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from backover incidents. The field of view must include a 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. The system must also meet other requirements including image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.”
source
https://www.slateforums.com/forum/threads/backup-camera-display-screen-in-gauge-cluster-in-action-while-reverse.13237/
Gotcha, thank you for that. So they DO have a screen, but its normally in use for the speed/charge gauge cluster, etc. Good solution.
they can put the backup camera display integrated into the rear view mirror, many models of cars had this before the built in tablet computer became ubiquitous.
This is stupid design. When I’m going backward it’s always better to have more view angles: rear mirror, side mirrors, backing camera, all of them have different view angle and their use. Blocking mirror with camera display is like losing an eye.
We’ll, I have a rear video in mirror and you’re completely wrong.
See I like this but man is it expensive. It fits every category I need, well except range.
Yeah I might get a used slate someday.