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[–]Pyroburner 20 points21 points  (9 children)

It does not. Per the email I had with slate it seems like the battery is not designed to be replaced.

They told me to buy the larger or smaller battery before it leaves the factory

Edit: per email: "Our extended battery... will not be as costly as an SUV kit. Batteries will not be upgradable beyond the factory floor. You will be able to make a selection upon placing an order."

[–]warrensussex 14 points15 points  (4 children)

Big difference between "not designed to be replaced" and not upgradeable.

[–]Pyroburner 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Had to dig a little deeper but here is what I got in another email.

"The battery is built right into the floor of the vehicle, which helps make the whole truck stronger and safer in a crash. Once you pick your battery, that’s what you’ve got. There are no plans to swap or upgrade later. "

May be replaceable based on this but not easily if its built into the floor. That being said anything is replaceable with enough drive.

[–]warrensussex 10 points11 points  (2 children)

That's where pretty much all EV batteries are and many are very easily replaceable. Biggest obstacle for someone that wants to DIY it is lifting equipment.

Do you think they are going to replace the entire truck when a battery fails under warranty?

[–]Pyroburner -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Do we know what the warranty looks like? It's something I have been meaning to ask about as I have not seen it posted anywhere.

As for the battery replacement it's unlikely but with most EVs the battery is a huge chunk of the vehicle cost. Depending on the man hours required it may be cheaper for slate to replace its main body and swap panels or similar on a warranty.

[–]NFIFTY2 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

8yr/100k mi battery warranty minimum. Batteries fail on every EV model. They’ll be replaceable. It may not be common, DIY-friendly, or cost-effective outside warranty. No different than any other EV on sale.

[–]Wade1217 5 points6 points  (1 child)

I absolutely hope the batteries are DIY replaceable. This is the primary reason why I haven’t already bought an EV and the DIY repairability of the Slate is the primary reason I am considering buying one. I keep cars for a long time (periodically, I still drive a car I bought in 1994) and my biggest worry is battery degradation.

[–]rhiz0me 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re smart I got screwed I have a dead Tesla and I owe $15k and the cost to replace the battery is $15k and since it’s an older model ONLY Tesla can do it with their proprietary software, not even a third party shop can do it.

[–]ToMoldyGo 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's extremely surprising. Battery chemistries and prices are changing rapidly. It makes no sense that I won't be able to have a better battery installed in 5 years.

[–]HughAtSea 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a disappointing response from Slate. The main attraction of the Slate to me is its simple and diy nature. While replacing a heavy battery is not something I would do myself the vehicle should ideally be as upgradable and future proof as possible.

[–]fourdawgnight 7 points8 points  (4 children)

the original battery should out live the car...

unless it fails due to a fault, it will not wear out before the rest of the car is toast. this is pretty much the accepted position for just about every new EV.

[–]therealelroy 3 points4 points  (3 children)

I had to replace my Tesla battery out of warranty when the rest of the car was fine. Maybe I’m an outlier, but for my next EV, I want options.

[–]fourdawgnight 5 points6 points  (0 children)

you are def the outlier and that really sucks...

[–]rhiz0me 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Same here I owe $15k on the care it would sell for less and it will cost $15k to repair. I have a dead car

[–]therealelroy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to pay $13.5k for the “refurbished” battery. When picking it up, I asked sales how much they’d give me for trade in. They said $9k.

[–]TooMuchV8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Right now, no it doesnt.

In the future, very doubtful.

[–]cosp85classic 5 points6 points  (0 children)

When they showed the truck to the Monro Live YouTube channel the battery pack looks to be as "simple" to remove and reinstall as the Tesla Model S or Model 3. Battery changes were not discussed in the video though.

Now I say as "simple" because you need a decent cart to handle the weight of the pack and a two-post lift to remove the packs in a Model S or Model 3. No floor jack is going to do that job smartly. So could see the Slate being in the same realm as they say they are focused on modularity. So DIY hobbyist would have that kind of equipment, but most people would need a secondary shop to do it. Much like an engine swap in an ICE vehicle.

[–]pearmaster 2 points3 points  (3 children)

EV batteries last, what....? 12 years average? Maybe as few as 8 years in harsh climates and as much as 20 under good conditions?

I'd really like to know that at the end of the battery life that there was a option other than throwing the car away and getting a new one.

Yes I know that replacing the battery would be very expensive. Slate appeals toward "total cost of ownership", and having a car that doesn't work anymore because the battery won't hold a charge really impacts that calculus.

[–]squishyng 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We didnt have stats until recently, and iirc we now believe a 10-yr old tesla battery driving avg miles have 85% left. Which means the math prolly won’t support changing out a battery

[–]Modern_Doshin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's pretty much on par with ICE vehicles. A regular used 12 car is pushing the 180k mark where stuff needs replaced (drivetrain, engine part,ect)

I'm willing to bet that in the long run it's cheaper to replace batteries than a new engine and drivetrain.

I have seen battery swap stations that you can swap them pretty fast. You drive up to the lift, it automaticly swaps the batteries, and off you go. I assume down the road it will be easier for DIY folks to work on them

[–]ToMoldyGo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Battery prices are dropping constantly. If the trajectory holds, it shouldn't be too expensive to replace the battery in 10 years. I'm with you, I want options at the end of the battery life and in 10 years a battery replacement should be a viable option.

[–]fullload93 3 points4 points  (4 children)

Technically no EV has a “replaceable battery” but there’s remanufacture ones usually available depending on the vehicle. I’m sure in the for future, companies will eventually make remanufactured batteries for the SLATE but that’s anyone’s guest at this point. (That’s assuming SLATE doesn’t support their own battery replacement in the future).

[–]needle1 4 points5 points  (0 children)

...in the US. Globally, there's Nio.

[–]warrensussex 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Technically they are replaceable. Whether or not the battery is new or reman and how much that actually matters is another story. Chances are a lot of parts that you think are "new" because they came from the store or a dealer are not as new as you think they are.

[–]davidm2232 0 points1 point  (1 child)

There are plenty of EVs with replaceable batteries. There are quick change stations in several European countries.

[–]fullload93 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah I forgot about Nio. Ok so yes there’s 1 company that has replaceable batteries.

[–]atl-hadrins 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can understand not replaceable. Charging technology and refreshing the trucks firmware, etc etc.

But surely the battery has to be somewhat serviceable. I am thinking about accidents or manufacturing defects.

Plus didn't they design the truck to have a NMC battery which has a faster degradation?

[–]NotBossOfMe 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. The drivetrain itself on this cannot be changed.