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What is the Slate Telematics Module and what can it be used for?
Slate’s optional $275 Telematics Module gives the Slate Truck a cellular connection for remote access and battery pre-conditioning. The choice fits the truck’s minimalist design, where buyers can opt out of equipment commonly included in other vehicles, but the module is needed for phone-to-truck connectivity.
The price includes one year of service, with renewal costs and the effect of not renewing yet undisclosed. Owners can install it themselves using standard tools; Slate estimates 30 minutes to two hours. The company has not clarified which remote functions will be available or what data the module will send or store, though it says it does not plan to sell driver data. The Blank Slate starts at $24,950, plus a $1,450 destination fee, and pre-orders are limited to US residents.
In short
- The $275 module enables cellular connectivity and remote features.
- Its price includes only the first year of service.
- Slate has not detailed remote functions, renewal costs or data handling.
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The case for
Making the telematics module optional fits Slate’s minimalist approach: buyers can avoid paying for connected features they may not want, while those who value remote access and battery pre-conditioning can add them. Self-installation and a year of service included may also give owners a relatively accessible way to try the features, and Slate says it does not plan to sell driver data.
The case against
Because the module is required for phone-to-truck connectivity, leaving it optional may mean buyers cannot know the full ownership experience or total cost until renewal terms and the consequences of not renewing are clear. The undisclosed remote functions and data practices also make it difficult to judge the module’s value and privacy implications, even with Slate’s stated intention not to sell driver data.
Explained simply
The Slate Truck is a vehicle from Slate that is designed to let buyers choose which features to add. Its optional Telematics Module is a separate piece of equipment that gives the truck a cellular connection, allowing some functions to work remotely.
The module is needed to connect a phone to the truck and to pre-condition its battery before use. Slate says owners can install it themselves with standard tools, though the company has not yet specified all the remote functions it will support.
The module’s service includes one year, but Slate has not announced renewal costs or what happens if service ends. It has also not detailed what information the module will send or store, while saying it does not plan to sell driver data.