Want remote access in the Slate Truck? You'll need its $275 accessory and, eventually, a service subscription.

When you buy a Slate Truck, you only pay for the tech you want, and Slate is taking that idea pretty far. There's no built-in infotainment system on its $24,950 Blank Slate, and even the hardware that enables the truck to communicate via a cellular network is optional. Slate offers that connection as a separate $275 Telematics Module.

Slate describes it as a "plug-and-play solution...enabling features like remote access and battery pre-conditioning." It's compatible with all Slate body styles, and the price includes the module and a one-year service subscription.

You don't need the module for driving the truck. Slate says its upcoming free app isn't mandatory either. The Telematics Module is just another choice in a truck design that is a minimalist's delight, allowing users to opt in or out of equipment that many newer vehicles include by default.

It's important to understand the difference between Slate's app and its Telematics Module. Slate told SAE Media that the base truck has no modem. The app will show charge status and battery health, help drivers find charging stations, and support service-related functions. The module adds a cellular path between the phone and truck, which is what makes remote access possible.

The most practical confirmed use might be battery pre-conditioning. An EV battery performs differently in cold weather, and pre-conditioning can warm the battery before driving. The ability to do that remotely may be important for someone who leaves their Slate outside during the winter months (especially if the truck is plugged in).

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