A basic hybrid should only cost $2k-$3k more than the gas only version. Basic models for either are hard to find, people want all the extras. Seems this is more of a passenger vehicle for a lot of buyers. The Lariat model is described as ‘street vehicle’, though I don’t know what that means for any model that doesn’t include the off road package. Maybe just means the luxury trim package is standard.
That truck is about 26" (i,e. more than two feet) longer than the Slate. I think people (like me) who are looking seriously at the Slate (or Telo) are mainly looking for an electric truck or SUV that is actually relatively small. I would also look at a hybrid that was actually relatively small. Of course, if they are never produced then it will be yet another disappointment for me. I still wouldn’t buy a 2’ longer truck or SUV, at any price.
That’s a valid observation, and same for Telo. In the video I posted, the CEO of Telo said that they hope to start making production models in 2026 “if all goes well”. If and when this even happens, they have the additional problem of producing a limited number of hand-built models that have to compete on cost with mass-produced pickups made on assembly lines.
I wish both Slate and Telo success, but it’s gonna be a real uphill battle.
I have long wondered why there is no electric vehicle with the dimensions of a classic Jeep like the CJ-5 The bed could easily be a foot longer and still slightly less then the length of the Telo. I’m surprised the earliest modern electrics weren’t based on the Jeep design.
Closing off this end of the discussion, I have the truck now. An XLT model, pretty basic really but after looking at many alternatives new and used I’m fine with I got for the money.
I think the Slate will have a hard time competing with hybrid Mavericks because I expect the price to be similar if it is ever available. Will take a while to find out about that though.
I thought of you today because in a parking lot I spotted a very nice Maverick extended cab truck and it looked sharp. Enjoy your truck!
In the first two weeks Slate has received 100,000 refundable reservations at $50 each. That does not represent 100,000 future sales; the Cybertruck had like 30 million reservations and about 12 were sold. I don’t think they make it anymore.
It does show there is some interest, and 100,000 reservations is better than 1500 reservations. Probably the most important thing is that it will help to convince future investors to put money into the company.
I wouldn’t want one as my family’s only car, but I’d rather have a Slate as a second commuter car, than say a Fiat 500e.
You know how there is a classic red-carpet / beauty pageant pose, with one food slightly ahead, to twist the hips slightly and optimize the body profile? And clocks and watches used to always be depicted at 8 or 9 past 10?
I was looking for straight side-on pictures of pick-up trucks, to compare where the driving position is w.r.t. the wheels, and d-d if I can find any. No doubt they exit, but every picture I can find of anything is in exactly the same pose, taken from, and of, a front corner (and 80% the drivers side front corner).
You can find them on dedicated car comparison websites where you can overlay two cars over each other to compare dimensions. eg:
That is a cool site, thanks. It doesn’t have the Slate yet, but it does have Telo. The Telo is actually 12.4 cm shorter than my Subaru Impreza (but wider and taller; in that view it looks oddly tank-like).