I had 3 Monarch butterflies come by a few weeks ago. Probably more I didn't see. Now I have caterpillars, I have counted 30 so far from at least 3 different hatches. How many in this picture?
I don't know much about butterflies, so don't hesitate to comment.
Central Va.
How long until these guys are butterflies?
Will they migrate south?
What type of milk weed?
Can I expect more next summer?
Reddit suggested that I repost on this site.
I was not aware that some EVs have one pedal driving only that cannot be disabled. Just Teslas and Rivians? I have an EQEV which gives the driver a choice between one pedal and regular braking. The regular braking is regenerative. I notice no difference in miles/kWh driving one pedal and using the regular brake. My wife does not like the one pedal, so we both drive with regular braking.
Slate is a start up which is going to be making a first generation, bare bones pickup. It is tiny, but would suit my needs well. But I understand that it will only have one pedal driving, so my wife wouldn't use it.
Is one pedal driving only a deal breaker for anyone else?
NOTE: my info is from 2 AI sites and I would love it if someone can show where Slate has an option besides OPD.
AI site 1:
Current reports from people who have actually driven the Slate say:
| Behavior | Slate Truck |
|---|---|
| Lift completely off accelerator | 🛑 Regenerative braking |
| Continue coasting with accelerator released | ❌ No |
| Turn one-pedal driving off | ❌ No |
| Adjust regen strength | ❌ No |
| One-pedal driving | ✅ Always on |
| Comes to a complete stop | ✅ Yes |
| Can still use brake pedal | ✅ Yes |
This makes the Slate unusual among EVs. It appears to be one of the few vehicles deliberately designed so that the driver cannot select conventional two-pedal/coasting behavior.
One nuance: you can obviously simulate coasting by maintaining slight pressure on the accelerator until you find the pedal position where propulsion and regenerative braking balance. But that's not the same as releasing the accelerator and having the vehicle coast.
And this is now supported by actual production-intent prototype drives in 2026
AI site 2:
Top Gear’s reviewers noted that:
In most EVs, you can choose between:
But Top Gear says the Slate doesn’t offer those choices — it’s locked into the high‑regen setting.
Sure, slate trucks are cheap, but what if you just keep adding options and don't stop?
So just buy the base Slate. It will work the same regardless of what type of wrap you put on it, so just go with no wrap. Making it cool is gonna cost you, both money and your time if you DIY. Same for the other "upgrades".
But I question the headline, "Sure, slate trucks are cheap,". It is a first generation vehicle from a start up company. If it has problems it could be very expensive for the buyer. $25,000 is pricy for the risk involved.
A stand like this, but smaller and modified for the Slate:
Slate could make a bolt on, or you could design your own. Basically a raised platform to shoot from, but has to have a ladder for easy egress, a shade for rain/sun, and a solid rail around it for steadying Ole Betsey. Maybe a camouflage sheet hanging from the rail to hid you from your quarry, range finder and scope would be nice for whistlepigs, and of course a camo wrap. Maybe this would attract some rural buyers?
Will Slate make a wrap like this, or does it have to be custom made. Either way, WAY COOL!
"The two-seat Slate truck at under $25,000 is no frills – it comes with hand-crank windows, no stereo, no speakers, no ambient lighting, a smartphone mount on the dashboard instead of a navigation system, and standard cruise control instead of adaptive. The Slate truck gets an estimated 205 miles of range, and it is small – think of Ford Rangers and other pick ups from the 1980s. At 14.5 ft, it is shorter than a Corolla.
Moreover, the $24,950 is just the starting point for a Slate, and the company offers a range of 3D-printed accessories, a stereo, a fob and an add-on that converts it into a five-seat SUV. Customers can also pay extra for vinyl wraps instead of paint, which eliminates the need for the company’s plant to include a paint shop.
But opting for those basic features quickly takes the price north. Jessica Caldwell, executive director of Insights with Edmunds, likened the Slate to a budget airline such as Rynair, which offers a cheap ticket to physically get on a plane, but the add ons that make the flight tolerable quickly add up. She is skeptical that this approach will take off with buyers in the US market."
As auto costs rise, will the US miss the golden age of electric vehicles?
"opting for those basic features quickly takes the price north. " Way north. For example, if you buy the SUV kit for $5,000 in does not include installing it on the truck. So it is not really a $30,000 SUV as some would have you believe. It is a $25,000 vehicle + destination charges +SUV kit, + install (either $$$ or your time) + other add ons you want + install for those add ons.
Slate has finally posted the specs and the price of its base model and people are starting to look at it more closely. And some of those people will have questions that they will post on this sub. And Slate does not have answers for all of those questions yet.
The Cult will be here and they will defensive. Will they show what future Slate owners are like? If you buy a Slate will you have to constantly be defensive when asked questions about your purchase?
When Slate gives a cost for the SUV, that means the cost of the base truck plus the cost of the kits you have to install?
Does Slate give a cost for the Slate with the SUV kit installed?
Has Slate said anything about destination and fee charges, or how the truck will be delivered?
I don't understand how this spare tire carrier works.
When Slate says, "easy truck bed access" do they mean that the tailgate will open, or that only the rear window opens?
It looks like the Slate will be EPA rated for 2.85 mi/kWh.
The Chevy Bolt is rated for 3.5 mi/kWh.
Why is the Slate's rating so pathetic compared to another small EV, the Chevy Bolt?
Seats take up a lot of room.
I had a Ford Fiesta I removed the front passenger seat from, and cut a piece of plyboard to make a floor. It made the front roomier, gave me a place to carry groceries or tools, and gave the right rear passenger some leg room.
I had a Ranger which I removed the passenger seat from and made a plyboard floor. It added a lot more room and gave much better access to the area behind the seats.
Both of these were fairly simple modifications except for bypassing the front passenger airbags. Vehicles in Virginia won't pass the annual State Inspection if the airbag light is on, so you have to find an electronic do around plug-in device that will make the airbag system think everything is OK. On the Fiesta I found a device sold on Ebay which plugged in to where the seat was supposed to plug, it worked great. On the Ranger I tore apart the old seat and removed the piece that plugs into the airbag sensors from the seat. If I recall correctly the airbag system was also tied into the seat belt. Anyway I got it working.
It would be nice if Slate would sell a device to plug into the airbag system when the front passenger seat was removed so it would pass inspection. They would probably sell a floor system to bolt in where the seat came out to.
I guess we are all excited about the Slates upcoming price announcement. But what is its true value?
Like the Slate, the Chevy Bolt is a small electric. Here is one for $24,995. That is pretty much in the mid-$20s like the Slate says it will be. I think they could sell the Slate for a lot less. The Bolt has paint, Slate brags about how much savings there is in selling trucks without paint. The Bolt has longer range, Slate brags about saving on battery costs by having a shorter range. Slate brags about being bare bones saving lots of money in manufacturing, the Bolt is not bare bones.
Does it cost more to produce a bare bones Slate than a Bolt? They are both small EVs, but the Bolt comes with paint, longer range, and more amenities, plus a warranty backed by Chevy.
So why don't Slate's makers pass the savings of being bare bones on to their customers?
Slate should be priced in the $15 - $20,000 range.
VIN
: 1G1FY6EV6VF112082
Stock
: C47012
Available Now
Exterior
Sterling Grey Metallic
Interior
Jet Black with Blue and G...
Engine
Integral drive unit with electric propulsion
Est. Battery Range
262 mi
Transmission
Transmission, none (electric drive unit)
Seats
5 Seater
Apply Incentives & GM Rewards
Add incentives, special offers and GM Rewards to your deal.
$24,995.00 - Cash
Apply Incentives & GM Rewards
I won't driving my Slate much, typically 50 miles/week. I pay .15/kWh.
Is there a small solar system I could set up to charge my Slate that makes sense financially?
A restaurant has a menu that Slate could use as a business model for pricing. Should look something like this:
Most likely, yes — the Slate Truck will probably have some kind of destination/delivery charge added to the advertised price.
Slate has not officially published the exact fee yet, but nearly all new vehicles include:
Community discussions around the Slate truck expect something in the neighborhood of $1,000–$1,500, though that is still speculation until Slate releases final ordering details.
One interesting detail:
So if the truck is advertised around:
your realistic out-the-door before taxes/options is probably more like:
"At $20,000 it coulda been a slam dunk. "
$25,000 hold it back a bit in the market.
240 mile version Slate over $30,000? Ford claims it's EV pick up will have 300 mile range. Plus lots of amenities compared to the bare bones Slate. With Slate you can pay more for less truck.
Ultimately comes down to Slate's price.
Does The Slate Electric Truck Still Have A Chance? - YouTube
The Slate offers so much for those who are creative. It is not only your transport, it is your art project. You can personalize it, you won't look like every other boring vehicle on the road.
Wraps are available, but not needed. Decals are cheap and easy to install. "Blank Slate" screams for your creativity!
The bullet hole decals are an old favorite that will never die. You can do this!
The Cross/Flag decal would show that you are a true American who loves America and loves Jesus. You can get cool eagle decals and stuff too!
And there are lots of Flame Decals. Popular since the '50's they will accent the Slate's retrp look.
These are just three of thousands of the possibilities for personalizing your new Slate.
Think about all the ways YOU can do this and impress your friends! First step, buy a Blank Slate!
Slate’s electric truck debuted a year ago, the silence is becoming deafening
Slate Auto burst onto the scene a year ago as they introduced their affordable electric truck on April 24, 2025. It generated a ton of interest thanks to a starting price of under $20,000 after federal incentives.
Fast forward a year and the company hasn’t said much since then. Sure, they post flashy videos on social media, but there’s a concerning lack of substance for a vehicle that’s supposed to be launched in the coming months.
With the federal tax credit eliminated, Slate now says the model is expected to begin in the “mid-$20,000’s.” That’s significantly more than the original estimate of under $20,000 and it’s roughly on par with the $28,145 Ford Maverick.
Not surprising that a truck buyer would be interested at "under $20,000", but put off by a price of "mid-20,000's". If the Slate is dependent on the government to subsidize the price the Slate may be doomed.
A bare bones EV with a short range does not have a value in the "mid-$20,000's." Just because it is the only girl in town doesn't mean it is worth what Slate plans to charge. A lot of people got reservations thinking it was "under $20,000." They will be rethinking at "mid-$20,000's".
