US-Made Slate Electric Vehicles Could Utilize Innovative Canadian Technology for Home Fast-Charging, Proving That Neighbors Are Wonderful! | Carscoops

      Exro, based in Vancouver, will provide its innovative Coil Driver inverter technology for affordable SUVs and trucks from the Bezos-backed startup, as reported by Driving.ca.

      Exro’s technology eliminates the need for an on-board charger, allowing for fast AC charging at home. Slate is working on electric SUVs and trucks that will have a starting price of $25,000 and are expected to launch in late 2026.

      Slate Auto believes it can succeed where companies like Lordstown, Fisker, and Byton have struggled. The new U.S. startup is developing a range of EVs priced at approximately $25,000, which may be available before the end of 2026. Apart from the appealing price point, a noteworthy aspect is Exro's innovative technology, which aims to enhance the driving and ownership experience.

      Exro has created its Coil Driver inverter, which offers multiple benefits, including the removal of a conventional on-board charger necessary for converting AC power from home to DC for EV charging.

      Eliminating the need for this converter not only makes the EV lighter and cheaper to produce, crucial for a $25,000 price target, but also enables faster AC charging with the potential for 19 kW now and up to 80 kW in the future. This advancement could simplify home charging and facilitate the expansion of the global charging network by reducing the need for expensive DC charging stations.

      Another advantage of Exro’s technology is the coil-switching system, which generates multiple virtual power and torque profiles within a single motor, each tailored to meet the driver's and vehicle's needs at any given moment. This results in improved low-end torque and high-end power compared to traditional motors, along with better efficiency.

      Slate Auto, based in Michigan and reportedly backed by Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, aims to make electric vehicles accessible to the public through straightforward, affordable options. Their unconventional marketing has already featured a small gray pickup and two different two-door SUVs, one with a vertical rear window and the other with a hatchback-style sloped tail.

      Currently, not much more is known, but further details are expected to emerge on April 24, including whether tariffs imposed by Trump on imported auto goods from Canada will impact the plans to utilize Exro's advanced technology. Although Exro operates in both Canada and the U.S., it appears that manufacturing will primarily occur in Canada.

      Special thanks to Fred!