New basic EV truck

[paulsharvey]

Honestly, what I've never understood, SxS, illegal in Most states on road, cause of safety. Motorcycle, legal in all states. In FLa, no helmet needed. Now, I could see, the SxS maybe being limited to roadways that it can reach the speed limit on, but our Honda 700-4, top speed of 49 mph, has seat belts, roll cage, head lights. Sure, doesn't have turn signals, but there are aftermarket kits.

Now, never ran MPH on the buggy, but I'd guess it's pretty poor, as at top speed, it's turning some RPMs.

So, our place, we are maybe 6 miles to a good sized town, with 2 red lights. The SxS wouldn't be a Bad way to commute for a teenager, working a BS kids job in town. Nope; ours doesn't have AC, windshield, or hard roof (after market Bimini top type), but its safer than a Honda Grom, or a scooter

 

[paulsharvey]

Some of the cheaper SxS are going for around $10k for 500cc models, and they mostly can get upto 35-40 mph; all now have doors, seat belts, and roll cages. They really wouldn't be a Bad way for low income, short range commutes. Throw a cheap soft top, and a plexiglass windshield, and it wouldn't be bad in the winter or during summer storms.

 

[ultrarunner]

Friends that owned Ladas all had the same problem… they rust easily in snow country.

My info is dated and the problem may no longer be a problem…

 

[paulsharvey]

Guess I'm looking at the Slate 100% from an affordability side; not EV, or modularity.

I'm also looking at this a guy who has a 19 y/o son, living at home and commuting to school, 2-3 days per week, about 110 miles round trip.

So, I'm applying my own bias. You get a new vehicle, that payments can be down around $250/month, you open a door of, he'll, that's internet and cell phone bill... I think the average car payment in US is upto like $580/month; trucks i think is like $790/month

 

[ponytug]

Yeah, but you're not taking your Focus off road, or hauling anything with it.

Not my Focus, but I can tell you it isn't a horrible car off road as it has good flotation and a great HP/Torque to weight ratio, but it isn't going to rock crawl that's for sure.

Ford Focus RS WRC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

All the best,

Peter

 

[paulsharvey]

The old Internation scout 2, even in 2wd, 4 cylinder was pretty good off road.

Bottom line, getting some cheap vehicles into circulation is a good thing for the people; probably not for auto makers.

If Slate has a hint of doing good, I would expect them to get bought out quickly.

 

[ponytug]

I'm not sure I understand what off-road is supposed to cover. Rock crawling up stream beds? Across a flooded bog? Up an unimproved logging road in a national forest? Getting to the back of the back 40? Getting to a remote cell tower?

Based on my experience and observation, I think that decent driving skills can get some pretty standard two wheel vehicles pretty far into the back country.

It will be fun to see how the Scout truck pans out.

All the best,

Peter

 

[paulsharvey]

I'm not sure I understand what off-road is supposed to cover. Rock crawling up stream beds? Across a flooded bog? Up an unimproved logging road in a national forest? Getting to the back of the back 40? Getting to a remote cell tower?

Based on my experience and observation, I think that decent driving skills can get some pretty standard two wheel vehicles pretty far into the back country.

It will be fun to see how the Scout truck pans out.

All the best,

Peter

For me, it means the ability to go where you want without a 2nd thought. Not necessarily mudding or rock climbing. More, you have a 2 track rut trail to a pond, no 2nd thoughts; sand road with large wash outs, you still get home during a tropical storm. I stay the Heck away from the white power rain some of you guys have, but some of those driveways in Blueridge, 25% slope; they are sketchy when damp, let alone icy.

Honestly, my work vehicle is a 4wd 2021 Explorer, and it's only real lacking is ground clearance. You will bottom out pretty easily on some pretty minor ruts, but it handles sugar sand pretty well. Thats fine, just keep the limitations in mind.

Now, on this Slate, PU version, I've only watched 1 or 2 videos; and that seat looks like it's pretty much 90 degrees verticle, kinda like older reg cab Chevy PU. Those aren't much fun for more than an hour or two; not something I'd want to drive 8 hours per day

 

[EddieWalker]

Would anybody buy the Slate and expect to drive it 8 hours a day?

The buyer of the Slate is going to be somebody that can drive to town, do what they need to do, and drive home, and never exceed the amount of charge on the battery. I think it's 150 miles, so to be safe, not drive over 100 miles in a day.

I live 11 miles from the closest Walmart and Lowes, and 20 miles will get me to another Lowes, Home Depot, and three other Walmart's, plus everything else I could possibly need.

If I bought one, I will be in it for half an hour or less going to town and then coming back. For me, the seat is going to have to be really, really bad for that to be an issue.

 

[paulsharvey]

Would anybody buy the Slate and expect to drive it 8 hours a day?

The buyer of the Slate is going to be somebody that can drive to town, do what they need to do, and drive home, and never exceed the amount of charge on the battery. I think it's 150 miles, so to be safe, not drive over 100 miles in a day.

I live 11 miles from the closest Walmart and Lowes, and 20 miles will get me to another Lowes, Home Depot, and three other Walmart's, plus everything else I could possibly need.

If I bought one, I will be in it for half an hour or less going to town and then coming back. For me, the seat is going to have to be really, really bad for that to be an issue.

I kinda was under the impression with its modularity that it was marketed both as affordable, but also as a work vehicle? I'm not rooting against it, but I won't be betting in it either.

Kinda thinking it's a western version of a K-truck