Most electric vehicles, like their gasoline-powered counterparts, require owners to return to dealerships for regular maintenance. All older car manufacturers that sell electric vehicles have service and repair models built around dedicated dealer networks, training and tools. How easily accessible this service and repair information is to owners, independent shops and the general public a topic of ongoing debate Known as the right to repair.
Right-to-repair advocates argue that vehicle owners and independent service shops should have access to the diagnostic software, repair manuals, tools and parts available from authorized dealers. Automakers have historically pushed back, citing security, cybersecurity and intellectual property concerns. No federal law has (yet) addressed the issue, leaving the situation different in each state.
Slate Auto does not anticipate a resolution of this dispute. The A startup backed by Jeff Bezos built what he described as a DIY-first truck where panels were changed, parts were readily available and service manuals were free.
With him ultra competitive $24,950 starting priceits open-source repair platform may be particularly attractive to those looking to flip their own switches.
Free classes for owners and technicians
An open source OBD-II data port provides direct access
Slate University is a free video library and online tutorial center designed to walk new owners through everything from basic maintenance to accessory installations. The platform covers both conventional repairs and the more involved modifications that Slate sells, including SUV conversion kits, body kits and other interior upgrades.
Content and step-by-step video tutorials are aimed at two audiences at once. Aspiring everyday DIY owners they manage things themselves and technicians in Slate’s certified service network. Slate University’s goal is to give everyone who touches a truck, from individual owners to independent shops, everything they need to work on it.
The platform also connects to one of the Slate’s more unusual design decisions: the truck’s open-source OBD-II data port. Slate provides vehicle data to owners instead of keeping it behind a proprietary interface direct access to powertrain and performance data via a standard OBD-II connection compatible with the same third-party diagnostic tools used in independent shops.
RepairPal network and what it covers
Three levels of Slate service
For repairs that go beyond the home garage, Slate has partnered with RepairPal to create a nationwide service network. More than 4,000 certified independent shops are slated to launch, with more than 100 locations already fully certified to handle complex high-voltage EV work. Here’s how Slate describes the partnership An industry first for OEM.
RepairPal certification covers three service levels. The high-voltage work mentioned above, including battery and electrical system repairs, should only be done by trained technicians and go to smaller shops with EV-specific credentials. Low-voltage and general maintenance jobs, on the other hand, are open to a wider pool.
Accessory installation is available in the widest range of locations, including the installation of SUV conversion kits, wraps and other bolt-on hardware.
The level structure is designed to match the repair to the right shop, while opening up regular service and accessory installation to a wider range of independent shops, while maintaining high-voltage work with certified technicians.
Early coverage is uneven
What potential buyers should check before pre-ordering
The network is still being built, and early signs from the Slate community point to uneven coverage. Owners are active Slate forums reported that they had already visited RepairPal-listed shops in their area, only to find that the technicians had never heard of Slate. One owner in Southern California noted that the nearest RepairPal store with high-voltage EV certification is about 70 miles away.
Slate said its goal is to have at least one certified location within 100 miles of each customer.
Prospective buyers should check RepairPal coverage in their area before pre-ordering. Slate’s FAQ section recommends checking the RepairPal site directly, especially since high-voltage certified locations are currently still limited.
Likewise, warranty service may not be available at every RepairPal location; only shops that complete the full Slate certification process will be allowed to perform warranty work.
For independent stores, the situation goes beyond convenience
The average home owner visits the dealer for service 85% of the time within the first year of ownership. 2025 CDK Global study. Same-day service appointments fell from 40% in 2023 to 28% in 2024.”
Wait times for EV service have steadily increased, and branded service centers (ie, dealers) may be out of reach for owners in less populated areas. Slate is betting that independent stores can fill that role.
The first Slate models are expected to start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2026. As of this writing, pre-orders are still open on the Slate website.
