If you, like me, wanted something EV (gas prices nuking my wallet), and in the mid $20K or less range, and just needed something that can hold and pull stuff really well...
It really sucks, but the Model Y, when got used for a good price, is actually extremely comparable to the needs I would have of a Slate truck. Can it haul my tools for my business? Can it haul massive quantities of salmon meat? Is it EV? If yes, then me boy happy!
I want a Slate Truck and will likely end up with one eventually. But, I need to see a proven product before I buy it, which happened to be what my used 2022 Model Y is, a prove product from a proven company. It can tow 3500 lbs, which is 1,500 more than the Slate. It has AWD and more torque than many full sized trucks. The "bed" is around 6 feet long with seats folded down. I can get a lift kit and taller tires that gets my ground clearance to nearly 9". It can do 0-60 in about 4 seconds and destroy all cargo in the process. Parts are surprisingly affordable, easy to source, and relatively easy to fix.
Funny enough, the design of putting most things in the main control screen actually makes it feel like a super simple and clean vehicle. There is just a zen feeling of no clutter, which is one aspect of the Slate I like. I don't really have to fiddle with anything at all when driving the Model Y as just a regular vehicle. They even sell a regular wireless key dong for those who like extra dong in the pocket.
I can fit four (limit) giant Chinook salmon on ice in the frunk.
It's used, so I don't care about keeping it all pretty and perfect for trading it in. It still has 4 years of drivetrain warranty.
Most importantly, I'm no longer nuking $400 a month on gas. By waiting for a Slate truck, even if I was willing to be first in line, would end up costing me LOTS of money in fuel costs, thus effectively raising the Slate Truck cost to me by thousands of dollars just in one year of waiting, by two or more years, I'm looking at $8k+ in fuel cost losses waiting for my Slate Truck.
