this post was submitted on 24 Jun 2026
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Interesting, the telematics module is sold separately at $275.00. So for everyone worrying about spying, for this vehicle you got to opt-in and pay extra for it.
https://www.slate.auto/en/store/ACCIT010?fromCategoryId=accessories_interior&fromSubcategoryId=accessories_interior_tech
This! I'm probably ready to pay a bit more to NOT be under constant surveillance by a car maker!
Never mind the low price, not having that shit built in is the killer feature for me, making it the only new car I would even consider buying. (It's just too bad they won't have a 4x4 version for another couple of years.)
It is kinda good that there's an optional module available, though, because it means there's an interface that, in theory, a third-party module running Free Software could hook into.
Absolutely this!
You don't need 4 wheel drive with an EV truck, the weight is properly distributed between the 4 wheels, not like stupid pickups that put all the weight over the wrong drive wheels.
Pickups don't need 4wd due to poor weight distribution, they need it for traction on loose surfaces.
JFC...take a physics class. The drive wheels are in back, the cab and motor are in front. Of course there is no traction, all the weight is at the wrong end and 99% of idiots who buy those trucks drive with empty beds.
My point is that 4WD is never used on pavement in pickups. Many pickups don't even have 4WD and they do just fine, they have plenty of traction on pavement. Trucks don't have 4WD due to weight distribution, they have it so people can take their trucks off the pavement. If you never intend to go off pavement, like so many pickup owners, you don't need 4WD regardless of whether you're in an ICE or EV truck. If you want to go offroad in an ICE or EV truck, you'll want 4WD.
I have taken a few physics classes, was required to get some science credits to obtain my CS degree. I'm pretty sure they didn't cover this concept as, well, duh.
There are tons of vehicles vehicles than can drive off road without 4WD. Most of Rally racing has been done with rear wheel drive vehicles, and they're actually racing, not just casually driving. The reason a truck might not be able to handle it is because trucks are actually not set up well for it, unless they're loaded. Like the comment above says, the weight distribution is bad for it, until you load the bed. This isn't true for an EV truck. The weight is further back, so the rear wheels won't lose traction as easily.
Anyone who thinks they need 4WD to off-road doesn't know what they're talking about. Can it help? Sure. Is it required? Far from it.
Lol rally racing is done on dirt roads. It's not off road untill it isn't a road, in which case u need 4x4! Also handy for when there's a foot of snow on the roads, or during mud season around here where u find Subarus bellied out on dirt roads that are now mud pits. Bonus points if you have lockers or limited slips.
Saying 4WD helps offroad is the understatement of the century.
I've extensively offroaded in vehicles that aren't really built for going offroad - a Subaru Loyale 4x4 with/without a rear locker, a lifted Crown Vic, and a lifted P2 Volvo XC70. The crown vic was so much less capable than the stock Subaru Loyale or the Volvo, even with the trunk full of weight, due to it being RWD. It was all about speed and momentum to get up hills, whereas the Volvo can just crawl up stuff. The Subaru can't crawl up stuff, as it's a manual and doesn't have the low range gearbox, but as long as you stay in the power band of 1st gear it's unstoppable in places the crown vic would be totally spinning out. I always called the crown vic the hammer of offroading, since you kinda were just forced to send it up every steep hill.
U know what they say, with enough velocity you don't need traction! And with a enough traction u don't need velocity! Mind if I ask what Subaru u are off roading? The old loyale could be had with low range iirc, would kill for one of those bad boys
Yeah, its a 1993 Loyale with the push button 4WD. You could get them with a low range gearbox, but this one does not have that :/
That's awesome lol id love to own one of the older Subarus. My first car was a Forester and it was pretty impressive where I could get in that lol. Many years later my "daily" is a 12 Impreza 5 speed with sti sway bars and karthoy end links. It's a great winter beater and the Subaru bug is biting again...
Haha, they're great cars! My Loyale was the first car I ever took the engine out of. It's such a fun car to work on, most things are so easy, if you can get parts.
I don't like self promo, but I do make videos about it on YouTube and PeerTube if you're more interested, here's links to the playlist:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3bEYn02Mtba9lNiSu-KRcnIQieU6-RYP
https://joeltube.com/w/p/vyS65ydhaGKys2Jp8S9wmo
Of course no pressure to watch if you aren't!
A pickup is supposed to be used such that the weight is properly loaded. If you don't have the back full of firewood or something else anyway you are doing it wrong.
Then again if you don't have a full 8 foot bed you are doing it wrong, and those are almost impossible to buy.
I have a modern-ish F150 with a single cab and 8ft bed. I feel like I have the only one that isnt a company truck.
I do if I want to take it on proper off-road trails, mudding and rock-crawling and such.
I'm fairly sure that the aftermarket will sort out 4x4 situation
The aftermarket is not going to make an entirely different drive train.
If there is enough money they will. Though I agree with your doubt that enough people will buy this to make it worth it.
Maybe not for an ICE, but it wouldn't be hard for an EV
Tons of cars fet drivetrain swaps! It's not bad, lots of kits out there and a little custom fab goes a long way. I have personally put hemis and 8hps in JKs, swapped an 02 drivetrain into my 87 YJ, have swapped a gas V8 rover to a diesel td5, have many auto to manual and vice versa conversion. Hell my co worker just put a Corvette engine in a rover backed by a 6 speed tremec and an adapter plate to the original rover t case. It's surprisingly simple! Hell u can even convert ice to elec pretty easily if u have the where-with-all!
I read that the telematics package is meant for fleets, not average buyers
For remote app to vehicle features:
Description A plug-and-play solution that acts as a cellular bridge between your smartphone and your Slate vehicle, unlocking features like remote access and battery pre-conditioning.
Product details Includes: One (1) Telematics Unit, complete with a one year service subscription for your vehicle. Fits all body styles.
Yeah I don't know, that's just what Slate said "the telematics module is primarily for fleet customers, Slate told Ars."
https://arstechnica.com/features/2026/06/we-take-a-ride-in-slates-24950-electric-pickup/
I'd hope you can precondition your battery from within the truck as well.
I'm fairly sure some spying is required by law, like the new driver cam legislation. Wonder how they'll get past that.
The driver cam does not need Internet connectivity to meet the new standards.
I was wondering about that 2027 legislation and how this vehicle is affected. I didn't see anything. Maybe that's a next year production problem.
It goes into effect September 2027 and I'm guessing there will be a price increase.
Very interesting indeed.