SLATE - This Is How You Make An Old School Gearhead Want An EV

Summary of the video’s main points

• Initial skepticism turned into strong praise: The speaker explains that many people asked for their opinion on the Slate EV over the past year, but they avoided giving one because they felt they lacked enough knowledge. After researching it more deeply, they became impressed—calling it “incredibly ingenious” and “brilliant.”

• Their broader stance on electric cars (qualified, not total rejection): They state they’re not against electric cars in general, but they are against:

  1. Government mandates pushing people to switch power sources instead of allowing consumer choice.
  2. Home parking/charging safety assumptions, arguing electric cars are not automatically safe to charge/park in garages. They reference relative fire frequency but emphasize that circumstances vary. They also cite bans affecting covered garages/underground parking/cargo ships as a warning sign.
  3. The “personal” appeal of engines: they value the character and individuality of internal-combustion engines and dislike how an EV can replace that “engine personality.”

• Why the Slate specifically won them over: The speaker’s praise focuses on the car’s approach to design, practicality, and repairability:

  • Design philosophy (“blank slate”): They like the minimalist interior—no screens (beyond sensors), no touchscreen, phone connectivity instead, and mechanical controls such as:

    • Knobs for climate control
    • A steering-column gear shifter

  • Naked, no-frills interior: They appreciate the stripped-down layout and mechanical simplicity, including seats they compare to those from a 1976 Toyota pickup.

  • Classic external styling: They describe the car’s proportions and look as having a strong 1960s Ford Bronco vibe—“out of time,” but “perfect.”

  • Practical, repairable construction: They highlight modularity and ease of owner repair, including:

    • No patents blocking repairs
    • Encouragement of owner maintenance
    • Body panels designed to be replaced easily

  • Plastic body + visibility of scratches: They like that panels are made from molded plastic in an integrated color, arguing that scratches won’t show much, and that panels are secured in a way that supports straightforward replacement.

  • Wrap-friendly customization: The car is designed to be covered with film/wrap. The speaker claims owners can change colors over time and that pre-cut wrap kits may be available.

  • Low complexity options (but lots of accessories): They say there aren’t many configurations, but there are plenty of accessories and modular attachments that let owners reshape utility and seating. Examples include:

    • Adding a rear module to feel like an XJ-style variant
    • Extending to seat more people

• Manufacturing and timeline (as reported by the speaker):

  • The vehicle is assembled in Indiana.
  • They mention 70–80 prototypes and crash-test success beyond expectations.
  • Mass production is planned, with deliveries beginning in early 2027.

• Price and market implication:

  • The speaker estimates pricing around $26,000—roughly half the cost of many new conventional cars.
  • They argue it could “change the perception” of American cars by offering an antidote to what they see as modern vehicles becoming bulky and overpriced.
  • They believe it will become popular not only due to price, but because the creators understand car culture and personalization.

• Personal conclusion:

  • Even while praising it, the speaker says they do not plan to buy one, because they already own vehicles that meet similar needs and they personally prefer internal-combustion vehicles.
  • They would consider it only if it matched a buyer’s lifestyle—city use and short trips (up to ~100 miles)—but they say they would avoid home garage charging and would prefer street parking.

Presenters / contributors

• The video’s main speaker/commentator (unnamed in the subtitles)
• Slate team / Slate creators (the referenced design/manufacturing group; not individually named)
• “Ryan” (mentioned in passing regarding filming/heat, but otherwise not identified)