- Slate Auto will launch its $28K two-door electric pickup late next year.
- It will rely on some 4,000 RepairPal-certified independent service shops.
- The network covers warranty, accessory, and battery repair work.
Slate Auto is already treading water after its launch earlier this year. The removal of tax incentives makes its debut offering far less financially appealing than it would’ve otherwise been., and that’s a pretty big deal for a model that is build around it’s affordable pricing.
While it can’t control subsidies, the EV startup, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, can control how easy it is to own one of its vehicles. To that end, it’s just announced that it’ll give customers access to the Tesla Supercharger network and some 4,000 service locations on day one.
More: This Is Who’s Actually Reserving Slate’s New EV
Like many other EV companies, Slate will sell directly to consumers. Without dealers, the brand would need to build and staff its own service locations. Now, a deal with RepairPal allows it to offer a network of roughly 4,000 independent repair shops across the USA for maintenance and repairs as needed.
According to Slate, these independent shops will handle everything from routine maintenance to accessory installations and even high-voltage repairs. Each one will get Slate-specific training, too.
Also: Would You Really Pay $28K For A Crank Window EV With No Speakers?
In addition, the company is launching its long-promised Slate University, an online and app-based hub for tutorials, repair videos, and owner education. The platform will cater to both customers and service technicians.
Slate expects it to offer an evolving library of how-to guides and even some certification courses. “We want owners to feel confident before they even arrive at a service appointment,” CEO Chris Barman told Newsweek.
Supercharging the Experience
Charging is another area where Slate doesn’t want to over complicate things. Its product offerings will use the North American Charging Standard (NACS), giving drivers direct access to Tesla’s Supercharger network that consists of over 25,000 fast chargers nationwide and is widely regarded as the most reliable.
Essentially, Slate owners should have no issue going coast to coast so long as they’re okay with frequent stops due to the truck’s modest maximum range of 240 miles.
Also: Slate May Be About To Price Itself Out Of The EV Market
Production is set to begin late next year in Warsaw, Indiana, and Slate says that it already has over 100,000 reservations.
While we wait to see how many of those will actually convert to sales, it’s nice to see a new car company thinking ahead about the ownership experience.
Sources: Slate, Newsweek
