Why the Slate electric truck ditched NMC batteries for LFP before launch

The all-electric Slate pickup truck has swapped its original nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery chemistry for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) ahead of its on-sale date, a move that reshapes its pricing, range, and safety profile. When the Slate was first unveiled in April 2025, it was slated to offer two NMC battery packs: a 52.7-kWh unit with 150 miles of range and an optional 84.3-kWh pack delivering 240 miles.

However, with the production model’s price now set at $24,950, the only battery option is a single LFP pack rated at 65 kWh and 205 miles of range. The switch was driven by the loss of the national EV tax credit, which NMC batteries from South Korea would have qualified for, while LFP chemistry—typically sourced from Chinese suppliers—would have disqualified the truck.

By pivoting to LFP, Slate avoids the higher material and ethical costs of nickel and cobalt extraction, keeping the MSRP competitive. The LFP chemistry also improves safety by reducing the risk of thermal runaway and fire, while offering better thermal stability in extreme heat and longer operational life across thousands of charging cycles.

The trade-off is lower energy density: the 65-kWh LFP pack occupies the full battery bay, leaving no room for a longer-range option. Whether 205 miles will satisfy buyers remains an open question, especially as consumer expectations for EV range continue to rise.