Would You Truly Spend $28K On An EV With Crank Windows And No Speakers? | Carscoops

      Slate’s boxy, modular electric vehicle has garnered significant attention online, yet its limited range, poor towing capacity, and basic interior may deter many potential buyers.

      Yesterday, the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate introduced its modular EV priced at $28,000. The minimalist truck features manual windows and offers a range of 150 miles. An optional truck cap can convert the two-seat pickup into a five-seat SUV.

      In a market where many cars look alike, with similar designs and nearly identical powertrains, it’s natural to feel excitement when something truly different emerges. However, in Slate's case, the enthusiasm for novelty might be veering into an "Emperor’s New Clothes" scenario.

      If you haven’t read our coverage on Slate’s debut, you can check out our original article linked below. In short, Slate is a Michigan-based startup supported by Amazon's Jeff Bezos that aims to provide affordable electric utility vehicles. Selling from $27,500 (about $20,000 after federal tax credits), its modular design allows for transforming the two-seat truck into a two-row SUV or an SUV with either a coupe back or open roof using additional kits.

      These features are definitely appealing. Most current electric utility vehicles, like Rivian's R1S and R1T and upcoming models from Scout, are priced over $50,000, making them unattainable for many American consumers. It's refreshing to see a manufacturer creating a straightforward, budget-friendly truck that’s compact enough to fit in a single parking space, and the adaptability between pickup and SUV adds practical value.

      However, achieving the sub-$30k price point required significant compromises. The standard equipment list is meager, making a Dacia look luxurious in comparison. There’s no touchscreen, which isn’t necessarily negative since smartphones are prevalent, but it does mean you get physical rotary controls for the air conditioning.

      There are also no stereo systems or speakers included by default to play music from your phone; these are optional, alongside the wrap needed to change the body color, as the truck doesn’t come in paint options.

      The manual windows caused a stir online, but this setup might quickly become cumbersome, especially when needing to communicate with passengers or children in the back.

      The towing capacity of 1,000 lbs (545 kg) is disappointing for a utility vehicle, and while the bed length is slightly longer than a Ford Maverick’s by 0.5 ft (150 mm), this comes at the cost of having rear seats. Additionally, the absence of an all-wheel-drive option reduces its appeal for those living in rural regions or areas with harsh winters. The smaller of the two battery options, at 52.7 kWh, only offers a range of 150 miles (240 km).

      That range might suffice for a truck primarily used within its home city, but the sales struggles of Mazda’s MX-30 show that consumers prefer electric vehicles with longer-range capabilities. Although there’s an option for a larger 84.3 kWh battery providing 240 miles (386 km), this could significantly increase the price beyond $30k (pre-credits), and with the addition of the SUV top, wrap, Bluetooth speakers, and personal features, the initial bargain may not hold up.

      I genuinely want to support Slate. I dislike how cars have become excessively heavy and complicated, and this vehicle feels like the simpler counterpart to my Suri toothbrush, which lacks unnecessary features but is well made and lasts long on a single charge. Slate's focus on simplicity, providing only what is essential, is commendable and something that other automakers adding trivial gadgets could learn from.

      Will online enthusiasm convert into actual sales?

      Toyota learned from the GR86 that there’s a significant gap between generating excitement for a straightforward, pure driving experience and convincing people to purchase it. Once the initial excitement of Slate's launch, the charm of manual windows, and the basic, plasticky interior wear off, will American consumers be willing to spend?

      Or will they find it to be too compromised, too fundamental, with better alternatives available at a similar price point? Perhaps even cheaper if the benefits from EV tax credits diminish (which are already not accessible to all buyers). Alternatives, such as the $24k Ford Maverick with an aftermarket Leer truck cap for that SUV vibe, may not be as stylish as Slate's truck and aren’t electric, but they are efficient products. Is there even a strong demand for electric pickups in America at the moment?

      Slate anticipates selling 150,000 units annually, and we hope they succeed, but what do you think of their prospects? Is it a credible truck, genuinely a game-changing bargain as some suggest, or is it just heavily over-hyped and still too costly for what it offers? Share your thoughts in the comments.