The Slate truck doesn't just lack an infotainment system. The base version of the EV also skips a radio, speakers, power windows and even a paint job (hello, vinyl). But without built-in cellular, the truck can still get over-the-air (OTA) software updates. It does so by piggybacking on your device.
Maximum Minimalism in Slate Auto
Minimalism at Slate Auto goes well beyond styling. It underpins how the firm makes money: by stripping out whatever has no bearing on driving and safety, it gets the starting price below $25,000.
That said, the company is more than willing to sell buyers a long menu of extras to fill the gaps. Options include speakers, a mount for an iPad (which lets the truck behave more like a conventional infotainment setup), a conversion kit that makes it a five-seater SUV, plus a connected-services unit that allows doors to be unlocked from an app. The costs stack up, and a fully equipped version of this modular vehicle goes beyond $45,000. Resisting the urge to upsell may prove hard.
The electric vehicle is estimated to cover 205 miles (ca. 330 km) on a charge, carry a maximum payload of 1,550 pounds (0.7 t) and tow up to 2,000 pounds (0.91 t). Built mainly for local hauling and running errands rather than lengthy road trips, it cannot fairly be compared like-for-like with rival battery-powered pickups. Even so, the company is wagering that a strikingly cheap vehicle which skimps on luxuries will carve out its own market.
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How Updates Work in Slate Truck
Typically, OTA software updates use cellular or Wi-Fi. But the Slate truck's lack of tech means it needs a workaround.
The process happens through the Slate app on your phone. When an update is available, the app downloads it onto your device. Plug your phone into the truck's USB port on the dash, and wait for the initial file transfer (the part where your phone needs to be connected). That takes about a minute. Then the truck finishes installing on its own, a step that can take around 45 minutes.
The company says the updates will stick to bug fixes and small improvements, so don't expect big, flashy new features to arrive after installation. And the same app you use for updates also helps with other common tasks, like displaying range, helping you find chargers and passing those directions to Google Maps, Apple Maps or Waze.
Privacy
A truck that doesn't phone home could attract buyers tired of the techification of all things. So it probably helps Slate's case that it says it won't sell app data and only collects what it needs for things like diagnostics, service, and update status. Those familiar with the recent GM data selling debacle could see the allure here.
Whether enough buyers want an electric pickup that scales back on so much is an open question. But at least the software will still stay up-to-date for those who do.
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