from Hacker News

Bezos-backed Slate Auto debuts analog EV pickup truck

by jermaustin1 on 4/25/25, 12:24 PM with 7 comments

  • by constantcrying on 4/25/25, 2:32 PM

    It is an interesting idea, but there is obviously a lot which can go wrong here. Can you actually build an EV like that, conforming to all regulations, with significant cost reduction?

    Do people actually want less screens or do they just say that? Is customization a road to profitability?(VWs ID.1 concept has a similar idea to lower entry price, by making several upgrades user installable, so they can be bought over time.

    This is obviously a US only car and the US is very lacking in EV adoption. Will this sell in significant numbers?

    Can you actually make it cheaply? Rivian is notoriously unprofitable and making cheap cars is, far, far harder than making expensive cars.

  • by tzs on 4/25/25, 1:38 PM

    Earlier (by about 7 hours) submission with many comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43789807

    That submission is to an ArsTechnia article.

  • by sameasiteverwas on 4/25/25, 1:39 PM

    I hope they make it to market. Looks like a great replacement for my 2000s Ford Ranger.

    I'm also eyeing Edison Motors. They're working on an electric retrofit kit for pickups. https://edisonmotors.ca/trucks/edison-pickup-kit/

    I wish someone would do a cheap Telsa roadster with modern tech. A street legal electric gocart.

  • by tocs3 on 4/25/25, 1:33 PM

    It looks nice. If I were in the market for a new truck/car it would be at the top of the list to look at. I wounder, as a Bezos backed endeavor, how connected is it going to be? That is something I do not really like about the newer cars.

  • by carlosjobim on 4/25/25, 12:44 PM

  • by damnitbuilds on 4/25/25, 12:28 PM

    Modular, so easily maintainable, customisable and upgradable.

    Like a Frame laptop !

    Want !