Slate has updated its electric pickup truck's battery configuration, switching from nickel-manganese-cobalt packs to a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) source to maintain pricing and qualify for updated logistics. Initially unveiled in April 2025 with two battery options -- a 52.7kWh NMC pack from SK On for 150 miles and an 84.3kWh version for 240 miles -- the company has standardized on a single LFP pack from Gotion manufactured in Manteno, Illinois. This change extends the projected range to 205 miles and helps preserve the advertised starting price of $24,950 (plus a $1,450 destination fee).
The switch was driven by the expiration of the federal clean-vehicle tax credit for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, and improved availability of LFP cells. Gotion's Illinois facility is approximately 90 miles from Slate's factory in Warsaw, Indiana, significantly reducing logistics costs compared to the original plan to source modules from Commerce, Georgia. The new 65kWh LFP pack utilizes prismatic cells stacked directly into the pack, optimizing under-truck space.
While LFP is generally cheaper and supports more frequent full charges, it stores less energy per unit volume than NMC, resulting in a slight power reduction from 201 to 181 horsepower, though Slate still claims an 8-second 0-to-60-mph acceleration. The battery and powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 110,000 miles.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing