Slate Auto’s Electric Truck Repair Strategy Revealed
▼ Summary
– Slate Auto recently unveiled the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup priced under $30,000, designed with only 600 parts and no paint or infotainment system to reduce costs.
– The company has partnered with RepairPal, giving customers access to over 4,000 service centers across the US for repairs and maintenance.
– RepairPal locations will also install Slate accessories, such as a kit to convert the truck into a crossover, but not all sites can handle the high-voltage powertrain.
– Slate has secured access for its customers to the Tesla Supercharger network, and the truck’s NACS port eliminates the need for an adapter.
– The Slate Truck is scheduled to be released next year.
Slate Auto has unveiled its strategy for servicing and repairing its highly anticipated, budget-friendly electric truck, directly addressing a critical question for potential buyers. The company made waves earlier this year by announcing the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup priced under $30,000. Achieving this remarkably low cost involves a radically simplified design, constructed from only 600 parts and forgoing features like a painted exterior and a built-in infotainment system. This approach sets Slate apart from every other manufacturer, including industry giant Tesla.
Until now, a major uncertainty for customers was where to get the vehicle serviced. Slate has now clarified its plan by forming a partnership with RepairPal. This collaboration will grant Slate Truck owners access to RepairPal’s extensive network of over 4,000 service centers located throughout the United States. This move is designed to provide widespread, convenient support from day one.
Jeremy Snyder, Slate’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the benefits of this arrangement. He stated that the OEM partnership with RepairPal will offer customers significant peace of mind while simultaneously empowering independent repair shops to handle both service and the installation of various accessories.
These accessories are a key part of Slate’s vision. RepairPal locations will be equipped to install them, including conversion kits that can transform the basic pickup into a crossover-style vehicle. It’s important to note that while the entire network can manage general service and accessory fitting, only certain certified locations within the RepairPal system will be authorized to work on the truck’s high-voltage electric powertrain.
In other significant news, Slate also confirmed that its customers will have access to the Tesla Supercharger network. Since the Slate Truck will come standard with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, drivers can plug in directly at Supercharger stations without needing any adapter. The company is targeting next year for the official launch of its innovative electric truck.
(Source: Ars Technica)
