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A $20k American-made electric pickup with no paint, no stereo, no screen

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1336 points kwindla | 2 comments | 25 Apr 25 15:01 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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hedora ◴[25 Apr 25 15:34 UTC] No.43794694[source]▶
The $20K is after incentives, so it's actually $27,500. That still compares favorably to Ford's closest offering, the F-150 PRO, which is $54,999 (pre incentives):

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/fleet-vehicles/f150-lightning/

The Ford comes standard with the same range as the upgraded Slate, though. The slate can tow 1000lbs, and hold 1,433 lbs, vs the Ford's standard 5000 / 2235, respectively (you can upgrade the range and towing capacity on the ford):

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a64564869/2027-slate-truck...

Not including a bluetooth capable am/fm radio / speakerphone on a fleet vehicle seems dumb. This cut what, $100?

I can easily see Ford cutting $10K off the cost of the Pro. It looks like it has power windows, and it definitely has an infotainment system. Also, the two row cab adds lots of weight + cost and makes the bed smaller.

Anyway, competition is good. Hopefully slate will make something with an upgraded suspension / power train for $10K more, and maybe eventually a larger one with ford-compatible conversion mounts (for custom work trucks, etc.)

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Suppafly ◴[25 Apr 25 16:02 UTC] No.43795111[source]▶
It's meaningless to compare a small city truck to something like a full-sized truck, they are totally different classes of vehicle. I get that ford doesn't make a small electric vehicle, but that doesn't make the lightning the "closest offering".
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1. hedora ◴[25 Apr 25 16:22 UTC] No.43795444[source]▶
Is there another EV offering that's closer and available in the US?
replies(1): >>43796256 #
2. Suppafly ◴[25 Apr 25 17:23 UTC] No.43796256[source]▶
>Is there another EV offering that's closer and available in the US?

No, that's the point, it's filling a niche that basically nothing else does right now. The closest alternative would be a small electric car paired with a small utility trailer. Something like a Nissan Leaf and one of those $500 trailers from harbor freight. Which added up and with discounts probably costs fairly similar to this.