Slate pivots to LFP batteries for its budget-friendly EV truck

The shift reflects a broader industry realignment. Originally, Slate planned to use nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cells, prized for energy density but burdened by the volatile costs of nickel and cobalt. By switching to lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP), the company cut battery costs by approximately 40%. While LFP cells were long sidelined in the U.S. due to supply chain dominance by Chinese manufacturers and lower energy density, those barriers have shifted. Slate is now sourcing cells from Gotion, which intends to produce them at a factory in Illinois.

Range anxiety, once the primary deterrent for using LFP, is proving less relevant as charging infrastructure matures and consumer expectations evolve. Slate is pairing this chemistry with cell-to-pack technology, a design that removes the intermediate modules previously used to house cells. This transition simplifies manufacturing and improves energy density, allowing for a 205-mile range on the standard pack. Because LFP batteries can be charged to full capacity daily without significant degradation, the setup offers a practical, low-cost solution for drivers who do not require the extreme range associated with more expensive luxury EVs.