- Scout announced it has over 50,000 reservations for its two new models.
- Most reservations are for the Traveler SUV rather than the Terra pickup truck.
- Across both models, buyers seem most interested in the range-extended EV powertrain.
After several years of teasers, Scout Motors finally showed off both of its products late last year. Now, it’s revealing a bit more about how the public reacted, and things look good. Here are some interesting details about what customers appear most interested in and how Scout is reacting.
Initially launched in 1961, the brand left the market for decades before VW bought and relaunched it. Now, it’s working to bring two models to market, the Terra pickup truck and the Traveler SUV. Each will be available with either an all-electric or an electric range-extended (EREV) powertrain that promises a range of up to 500 miles (805 km).
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A new report says that over 50,000 clients have signed up and paid a deposit to buy a new Scout. Of them, the majority have requested the range-extended EV. That enables them to run solely on electric power alone or to add range via the on-board gas-burning generator. For Scott Keogh, Scout’s CEO, the EREV platform is a big part of why these cars are drawing so much attention.
EREV Puts An End To Range Anxiety
“This gives us a 50-state vehicle,” Keogh said Tuesday in a Bloomberg TV interview with Ed Ludlow. “The two challenges we see with electrification, charging infrastructure — and of course this takes that all off the table — and plus there’s convenience. I think with those two things, a range-extender makes a lot of sense.” He added that around 70% of the reservations have been for the Traveler SUV, which confirms the company’s own expectations.
VW CEO Oliver Blume laid out his view of the success while at CES. “The market response has been very, very positive,” he said.” The response was ‘This is heritage.’ … It is kind of a love story.” On his part, Keogh told CNBC “We’re super happy with the numbers. There’s been good reaction to the EREV.”
Leveraging a range-extended electric drivetrain is a smart move for Scout. Few other automakers have used it and there’s no doubt that it can reduce the range anxiety many prospective electric vehicle owners have. The charging network isn’t big and consistent enough for peace of mind for those who want to take a trip in their EV.
Flexible Enough To Respond To Any Policy And Market Changes
Gas-burning SUVs aren’t clean enough for others, so an EREV could be the best of both worlds. VW is currently building a $2 billion plant for Scout in South Carolina and, according to Keogh, it doesn’t need significant modifications to manufacture the range-extended versions.
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Given the uncertainty concerning the incoming Trump’s administration’s stance on electric vehicles and the (quite possible) scrapping of tax credits, Scout’s CEO believes that “This gives you ultimate flexibility. Regardless of the way America goes, we are put in a position for the next 20 or 30 years to have a tech platform that can navigate it.”
Scout is also continuing to innovate. The brand says it’s now going to offer satellite internet connectivity, meaning you can stay connected while being off of the grid.