Jay Leno’s Garage: The $25K EV Truck You Can Repair Yourself: Meet The Slate Truck

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by Tideland Prius, Feb 3, 2026 at 1:15 AM.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,343
    16,586
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A

     
    Merkey, Isaac Zachary and douglasjre like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    114,390
    52,180
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Fantastic! But I won’t be sucked in by bozo again
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  3. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    2,617
    1,335
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I just watched that video. I think I've fallen in love with the Slate Pickup!

    I'm wondering if I really can get at least the $3,250 worth of Colorado State incentives. I'm also curious if the Vehicle Exchange Colorado (VXC) Program could also maybe help get me as much as $6,000 to $9,000 more.

    I don't know. Maybe someone should talk me out of wanting to buy one.
     
  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    23,556
    12,625
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    My only complaint is with the owner of the company.
     
  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2021
    3,926
    2,064
    0
    Location:
    SacTown, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    OK; If you've got $25+K burning a hole in your pocket - why not buy a gently abused real truck 80's or older. Swap in electronic ignition and TBI or multiport fuel injection, if your feeling frisky - to make it reliable. That'll save you a ton of cash and you end up with a real truck for real work. It would be a lot safer too, if someone hits you.

    Just my two cents......
     
  6. Isaac Zachary

    Isaac Zachary Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2018
    2,617
    1,335
    1
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Who is the owner, or what do you mean by owner? Jeff Bezos? Of course, I'm not sure how that would be any worse than buying a Tesla. On the other hand, there are plenty of other companies.

    Thanks for the two cents! I guess in my opinion and reasoning:
    1. We're not looking for a "real truck" for "real work." We just need to move people, stuff and ourselves from point A to point B. The Slate can do that, but of course so could basically anything from a motorcycle with a trailer or sidecar to a semi-truck, with our choice normally landing on a fuel-efficient sedan.
    2. I don't see how an 80's or older pickup could be safer than a Slate. The engineers at Slate going for a 2026/2027 Top Safety Pick and 5-star crash rating in the Slate. The Slate will also likely be heavier than a 1980's or older pickup.
    3. We would hate the fuel mileage of a 1980's or older pickup. If we're going older, it's an air-cooled VW or bust.
    4. If we're going to have a second vehicle, it makes sense to be different than our gasoline-powered Avalon hybrid. The Slate is not only a pickup/SUV, but it's also an EV. Adding a 1980's pickup would be adding another vehicle to our fleet that I also have to take to a gas station.
    5. Money is the main reason I wouldn't be interested in getting a Slate. I don't really have $25k burning in my pocket, and I would not be looking forward to that kind of car payment.
     
  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    23,556
    12,625
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    I also wouldn't buy new Tesla for that matter. Also a VW cause of the diesel scandal. Might consider used, but I have other EVs before them on the list.

    It's just a shame we need some start up with deep pockets to see a stripper/affordable car of any type on the market.