It looks like SLATE has pathetic EV efficiency. (and a rant).

[danielt1263]

We recently sold our 23 Bolt EUV. The included battery is a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 66 kWh rated 259 miles on a single charge. In real-word use around town we prob ably averaged about 4.2 miles/kWh.

The Slate's smaller battery is rated 52.7 kWh with an expected range of 150 miles. 150 miles / 52.7 ... That's the same as ~2.8 miles/kWh. That absolutely SUCKs. The larger battery pack is about the same @ 2.9 miles/kWh

Hmm... Not to say you are wrong, but 2.8 mi/kWh puts the Slate right in the middle of the pack according to this chart. And the Bolt EUV is rated at 3.4. So if your real world numbers were 4.2 and the Slate behaves similarly, then it's "real world" number for you would be 3.5. Still not at the Bolt's level for sure, but it's a truck – not exactly the most aerodynamic shape – and not as aerodynamic as a Bolt...

 

[zipn]

Hmm... Not to say you are wrong, but 2.8 mi/kWh puts the Slate right in the middle of the pack according to this chart. And the Bolt EUV is rated at 3.4. So if your real world numbers were 4.2 and the Slate behaves similarly, then it's "real world" number for you would be 3.5. Still not at the Bolt's level for sure, but it's a truck – not exactly the most aerodynamic shape – and not as aerodynamic as a Bolt...

That’s a weird calculation for the bolt. Taking the specd miles divided by battery size for the EUV is = 3.8, not 3.4 ( and the bolt EV nearly 4.0). so I suspect the numbers on that chart use a different metric and it isn’t using the same calc I used for the slate for my rant (range/kWh). Okay for comparing within the chart but doesn’t jive with my simple calculation.

Fwiw I would consider 3.8 pretty poor when driving the EUV, we often got ~5 if we stayed off the interstate and drove with a light foot. I’d have to drive pretty hard to get lower numbers like that.

I want my slate to be as efficient as practical. Slate doesn’T seem to market the efficiency which makes me wonder f they actually plan on doing anything about it. It’s a brand new purpose built EV due out in 2026… no excuse for poor EV design ( see Leafs built with no active thermal management for how to NOT design an EV).

 

[Effonefiddy Lightning]

We recently sold our 23 Bolt EUV. The included battery is a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 66 kWh rated 259 miles on a single charge. In real-word use around town we prob ably averaged about 4.2 miles/kWh.
66 * 4.2 = 277 miles possible range. FWIW We loved the EUV (daughter still has a BOLT EV), just wife no longer driving and I had an opportunity to sell it for damn near what I pair for it, thinking we'll replace it in a few years with another commuter EV to save to wear and tear on our new Maverick. Nothing wrong with the BOLT's efficiency, but the Slate...

The Slate's smaller battery is rated 52.7 kWh with an expected range of 150 miles. 150 miles / 52.7 ... That's the same as ~2.8 miles/kWh. That absolutely SUCKs. The larger battery pack is about the same @ 2.9 miles/kWh

My only explanation is that SLATE is maybe low-balling the number (or they are just crap at designing an EV). If the real efficiency of the EV is less than 3 miles/kWh, then that puts the SLATE towards hummer EV territory. You would think that the smaller, lighter battery and the plastic body panels with give the SLATE an efficiency boost and would be able to do at least as good, if not a bit better than a nearly 10-year old designed Chevy Bolt. Even weirder is the larger, heavier SLATE pack gets slightly better miles/kWh?

Honestly if the real world EV numbers aren't at least ~4 mile/kWh I'll probably get my $50 back and get a Kia EV / Hynudai EV. There's no excuse for a commuter EV designed in 2025 to get crappy EV Efficiency. WTF Slate?

/rant ON
ALL EVs should have a miles/kWh rating standard. The mpgE rating is confusing at best. In addition, the time to charge to 80% or 100% is absolute BS. The charge time to full is based on the SIZE of the battery! Bigger batteries take longer to charge. A better way of comparing charge time is to simply take the average power delivered (charges at 50KW, charges at 150kW... etc). The industry seems to like the smoke and mirrors approach in promoting vehicle specs and it ticks me off. Miles/kWh is the first thing I look at.
/rant OFF

The Slate is a brick compared to a Bolt.

 

[Luxrage]

Maybe the aftermarket will come through with a fastback style aero-topper like you see on some pickups. Might eek out a few more eMPGs.

 

[skidoofast]

Our maverick is a brick too. I see mid 30s on the highway and mid 40s around town. The slate doesn’t have to have a horrible aerodynamic design.

the design is a BIG part of the appeal

look
Price
It’s a small pickup
Intro EV but not overwhelming
Adaptability (options)
DIY
Price (I know I said it again, but $20-30k for an EV)

 

[Jacopa]

Google drag vs speed

 

[skidoofast]

Google drag vs speed

Which is why my f150 can get 22mpg at 55mph but only 17mpg at 75mpg

but a stop and start of in town driving will eat up empg similar to what it does on my f150 13mpg

 

[metroshot]

Which is why my f150 can get 22mpg at 55mph but only 17mpg at 75mpg

but a stop and start of in town driving will eat up empg similar to what it does on my f150 13mpg

EVs have an advantage in slow traffic / bumper to bumper as they regenerate energy.

I get the best range driving in congested Los Angeles traffic while I get the least range above 55MPH.

 

[Sparkie]

the design is a BIG part of the appeal

look
Price
It’s a small pickup
Intro EV but not overwhelming
Adaptability (options)
DIY
Price (I know I said it again, but $20-30k for an EV)

^^ There it is, right there! ^^
That is Slate's target market. (It's as if @skidoofast ripped a page out of Slate's business plan.)

However, if any forum members seek a turn-key highly efficient EV with sleek modern styling, 4 doors, and seating for the whole family, plus luxury interior and sound system... Well, those already exist - no lines, no waiting, buy one today!

 

[metroshot]

The Slate is a brick compared to a Bolt.

100% correct.

Can't compare a boxy Slate to a sleek crossover....

 

[zipn]

100% correct.

Can't compare a boxy Slate to a sleek crossover....

Disagree. They are both small EVs. Put a SUV topper on the slate and they’re even closer. The slate even weighs less than the bolt. They’re comparable low cost entry level,small vehicles.

I don’t expect the slate to have great miles/kWh but seeing it’s got lower weight and 10 years of design knowledge since the bolt came out, it should be much better than what it calculates out. Even bricks can be designed for maximum efficiency. I don’t see slate putting much, if any effort into making it an efficient small ev. Cheap yes, diy yes, efficient? No so much.

 

[sodamo]

^^ There it is, right there! ^^
That is Slate's target market. (It's as if @skidoofast ripped a page out of Slate's business plan.)

However, if any forum members seek a turn-key highly efficient EV with sleek modern styling, 4 doors, and seating for the whole family, plus luxury interior and sound system... Well, those already exist - no lines, no waiting, buy one today!

True, but many want it at same price as the Slate. Delusional?

 

[sodamo]

Disagree. They are both small EVs. Put a SUV topper on the slate and they’re even closer. The slate even weighs less than the bolt. They’re comparable low cost entry level,small vehicles.

I don’t expect the slate to have great miles/kWh but seeing it’s got lower weight and 10 years of design knowledge since the bolt came out, it should be much better than what it calculates out. Even bricks can be designed for maximum efficiency. I don’t see slate putting much, if any effort into making it an efficient small ev. Cheap yes, diy yes, efficient? No so much.

I read they are hiring. Perhaps you should offer your much needed expertise.

 

[metroshot]

I read they are hiring. Perhaps you should offer your much needed expertise.

Yes, great idea - @zipn could design a super efficient pickup truck that has all these anti EV qualities: squared off corners, front end air dam 90 degrees flat, windshield high angle, high COG, and non energy efficient truck tires.

Can call it a Bolt-Slate truck ?

BTW: Ford, Chevy, and Rivian are all ears on this redesign!

 

[zipn]

Hmmm. I guess it takes a phd to spec low resistance tires, some aero and high efficiency electronics.