Here’s why Slate changed the battery in its cheap EV truck

Key Points:

• Slate has simplified its EV pickup truck battery strategy by eliminating the optional 240-mile pack and increasing the standard pack range from 150 to 205 miles, contributing to a starting price of $24,950.
• The company switched from nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells, which are about 40% cheaper due to lower-cost materials like iron, despite having lower energy density.
• LFP battery adoption was previously limited by supply chain concentration in China and tax credit restrictions, but recent legislative changes have allowed Slate to source LFP cells from Chinese manufacturer Gotion, with production in Illinois.
• The shift to LFP aligns with broader industry trends favoring cell-to-pack battery construction, which improves manufacturing efficiency and energy density, benefiting smaller EVs like Slate’s truck.
• Although LFP batteries offer less range than NMC, increased charging infrastructure and improved cell technology have reduced range anxiety, making LFP a viable choice for affordable EVs targeting typical daily driving needs.