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submitted 6 months ago by happybadger@hexbear.net to c/cars@hexbear.net

I came to the Philly Zoo to see one of the 3 prototypes of the Slate Truck. There's only three of these in existence. Each one costs 1.2 Million Dollars!

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[-] happybadger@hexbear.net 6 points 6 months ago

I really like that he keeps comparing it to an old Ford Ranger. Outside of a kei truck that's my ideal. The 1999~ Ranger I drive at work is a beautiful donkey that can haul anything while still feeling like my subcompact. If I buy another vehicle I just an electric version of that.

[-] invalidusernamelol@hexbear.net 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

I hate click bait titles like that lol. Literally every prototype car is "worth millions" because you gotta spend the RnD up front to make the thing.

Do like that there are more simple electric vehicles in the works though. The Telo looks kinda neat too as a K-truck style electric.

[-] altec@midwest.social 2 points 6 months ago

The issue with the Telo is that they never said it would be cheap, just small

[-] john_brown@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

The other big glaring problem is the fully exposed front wheels. Those telos are going to get launched into the air in minor fender benders

[-] invalidusernamelol@hexbear.net 1 points 6 months ago

They did get the price down of the initial units, so I can see them eventually getting lower as they scale.

Especially as demand goes up for vehicles like this. Everything else is a tank.

[-] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[-] happybadger@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

Something the size of the Telo would be closer to my ideal, but like altec said I can't justify spending $41.5k on a donkey. If I'm buying a truck it's getting heavily abused. Part of why I hate driving my more expensive work trucks, $50-80k newer models, is that they're so valuable that I'm afraid to cause any kind of damage. With my old Ranger I can throw loads of boulders and mulch in the back without it being such a huge financial liability. My car was $18k new and that's right at the price point where it's the most valuable thing I own but it wouldn't ruin me for a decade if I lost it. At $25k the Slate is at the extreme high end of what I'd feel comfortable spending on a vehicle I intend to drive for 10+ years on dodgy roads.

Plus I don't trust myself with 500 horsepower. My car is 130hp and that's great. Still agile and sporty but I'm not tempted to be reckless. The Slate's 200hp would be nice for additional hauling power while still feeling like a small car. The Telo's 500hp is such overkill for my practical uses and highway speeds. Even that old Ranger is 160hp and it hauls anything that fits without struggling.

[-] invalidusernamelol@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

I totally missed that the Telo is 500hp, that's insane lol. I just like it because it's small and kinda goofy looking.

[-] altphoto@lemmy.today 2 points 6 months ago

Slate comes apart in thin pieces so its not a very good name for a car.

[-] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 2 points 6 months ago

I found a YouTube link in your post. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2025
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