Reservations for Scout Motors’ range-extended fashions are outpacing these for pure electrical variations, Scout CEO Scott Keogh mentioned in an interview with Bloomberg at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week.
The brand new Volkswagen Group model plans to launch its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in 2027 with a powertrain referred to as Harvester that provides a gasoline engine appearing as a generator to spice up vary. It is estimated to supply 500 miles on a mix of gasoline and battery energy, versus 350 miles for battery-only variations.
Scout Traveler idea
The Harvester fashions are attracting extra reservations due to EV disinterest in “a portion of America” and issues over lack of public charging stations, Keogh mentioned, including that the range-extended powertrain “provides us a 50-state car” that may be offered in areas which might be much less EV-friendly. That maybe consists of pink states like South Carolina, the place Scout’s manufacturing unit is being constructed.
“The 2 challenges we see with electrification, charging infrastructure—and naturally this takes that each one off the desk—and plus there’s comfort,” Keogh mentioned. “I believe with these two issues, a spread extender makes loads of sense.” The CEO added that the combo of all-electric or range-extended autos being produced could be simply adjusted to cowl modifications in demand.
Scout Terra idea
The VW Group introduced Scout in 2022, reviving a reputation initially used on vans manufactured by Worldwide Harvester from 1961-1980. As a model below the management of the guardian firm, VW Group, reasonably than VW of America, Scout is making an attempt to implement a direct-sales mannequin just like different EV-only manufacturers like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla. However VW’s franchised sellers are combating that.
The Traveler and Terra pay homage to the unique Scout vans with retro styling, a body-on-frame structure, and an emphasis on bodily controls over touchscreens. However they’re nonetheless anticipated to boast some software-based options, like pet and camp modes, similar to the extra tech-forward EV manufacturers. A 3rd mannequin can be reportedly within the works, however timing is unsure.
