A 45-minute drive in a Slate Auto electric truck prototype left the reviewer more optimistic about the company’s planned $25,000 EV. The startup provided the truck for a local drive from southwest Washington, DC, to Rockville, Maryland.
The prototype had nearly 6,000 miles on its digital display. Its minimalist screen showed vehicle speed and the backup-camera view when reverse was selected. The cabin layout was representative of the production version, but the materials were not: the test vehicle featured hard, glossy black plastic and leftover Velcro strips from earlier camouflage.
The controls were straightforward. The door handles worked mechanically, while the seat and steering column adjusted by hand and offered ample range. A key fob inserted into the dashboard switched the vehicle on, and a column-mounted shifter selected drive, neutral, park, or reverse. The mirrors also needed to be adjusted manually.
The two-seat cabin provided good visibility, and the truck’s 68-inch height meant the driver sat higher than in a sedan. Manual window winding and three dashboard dials controlled cabin temperature and airflow. For navigation, the reviewer said a phone mount would have been sufficient, though the familiar roads made it unnecessary on this trip.
Sources: Ars Technica.