Here's how Slate Auto plans to handle repairs to its electric trucks

"Earlier this year, Slate Auto emerged from stealth mode and stunned industry watchers with the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup it plans to sell for less than $30,000. Achieving that price won't be easy, but Slate really does look to be doing things differently from the rest of the industry -even Tesla. For example, the truck will be made from just 600 parts, with no paint or even an infotainment system, to keep costs down."

"An unanswered question until now has been "where do I take it to be fixed if it breaks?" Today, we have an answer. Slate is partnering with RepairPal to use the latter's network of more than 4,000 locations across the US. "Slate's OEM partnership with RepairPal's nationwide network of service centers will give Slate customers peace of mind while empowering independent service shops to provide accessorization and service," said Slate chief commercial officer Jeremy Snyder."

"RepairPal locations will also be able to install the accessories that Slate plans to offer, like a kit to turn the bare-bones pickup truck into a crossover. And some but not all RepairPal sites will be able to work on the Slate's high-voltage powertrain. The startup had some other big news today. It has negotiated access for its customers to the Tesla Supercharger network, and since the truck has a NACS port, there will be no need for an adapter."

Slate Auto unveiled the Slate Truck, a compact electric pickup planned to retail for under $30,000. The truck is engineered with roughly 600 parts and omits paint and an infotainment system to reduce costs. The company aims to keep the price below $30,000 but acknowledges the challenge of achieving that target. Slate partnered with RepairPal to provide service through more than 4,000 nationwide locations. RepairPal centers will install accessories, including a kit to convert the pickup into a crossover, and some sites will service the high-voltage powertrain. Slate secured access to the Tesla Supercharger network via the truck's NACS port, eliminating the need for an adapter. The Slate truck is scheduled to arrive next year.

Read at Ars Technica