The Slate Telematics Module is a $275 plug-and-play accessory that adds a cellular connection to the Slate Truck, allowing features such as remote access and battery pre-conditioning. It reflects Slate Auto’s approach of selling technology as an option rather than standard equipment: the base truck has no modem, and even the free app is not required to drive.
What the module adds
Slate’s companion app and the Telematics Module serve different purposes. The app can display charge status and battery health, help locate charging stations and support service functions. The module creates a cellular link between the phone and the truck, which is what makes remote access possible. The base truck, by contrast, has no modem at all.
The clearest confirmed benefit is battery pre-conditioning. Cold weather affects EV battery performance, and pre-conditioning warms the battery before a drive. For an owner who parks a Slate outside in winter, the ability to trigger that process remotely could matter, particularly when the truck is plugged in.
“Remote access” itself remains loosely defined. Slate has not said whether it covers remote locking and unlocking, vehicle location, cabin climate control or detailed diagnostics. It also has not explained how battery pre-conditioning works or whether remote access includes cabin heating and cooling.
Installation and compatibility
The module fits all Slate body styles, and the purchase price includes a one-year service subscription. Owners can install it themselves; Slate rates the job as intermediate, says standard tools are sufficient and estimates 30 minutes to two hours of work.
Who it suits
The module is aimed at owners who want to reach their truck remotely. Buyers drawn to the Slate partly because it lacks connected-car hardware may see an added modem as an unnecessary expense. The $275 covers only the first year of service, and Slate has not disclosed what connectivity will cost afterward or which features would stop working if an owner does not renew.
That arrangement differs from how some mainstream automakers handle connectivity. Ford advertises a 5G modem in the 2026 Maverick and says that once activated it enables free app features including remote lock and unlock, remote start and vehicle information. Rivian includes app-based remote commands such as lock and unlock as standard but charges separately for more advanced connected services.
Privacy is another consideration. Slate has said it has no plans to sell driver data. The optional module will let the truck exchange information, though Slate has not specified what data it sends or stores.
Pricing context
The Blank Slate starts at $24,950, plus a $1,450 destination fee. Pre-orders are currently limited to U.S. residents.
