Reservations for Scout Motors’ range-extended models are outpacing those for pure electric versions, Scout CEO Scott Keogh said in an interview with Bloomberg at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this week.
The new Volkswagen Group brand plans to launch its Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck in 2027 with a powertrain called Harvester that adds a gasoline engine acting as a generator to boost range. It’s estimated to provide 500 miles on a combination of gasoline and battery power, as opposed to 350 miles for battery-only versions.
Scout Traveler concept
The Harvester models are attracting more reservations because of EV disinterest in “a portion of America” and concerns over lack of public charging stations, Keogh said, adding that the range-extended powertrain “gives us a 50-state vehicle” that can be sold in regions that are less EV-friendly. That perhaps includes red states like South Carolina, where Scout’s factory is being built.
“The two challenges we see with electrification, charging infrastructure—and of course this takes that all off the table—and plus there’s convenience,” Keogh said. “I think with those two things, a range extender makes a lot of sense.” The CEO added that the mix of all-electric or range-extended vehicles being produced can be easily adjusted to cover changes in demand.
Scout Terra concept
The VW Group announced Scout in 2022, reviving a name originally used on trucks manufactured by International Harvester from 1961-1980. As a brand under the control of the parent company, VW Group, rather than VW of America, Scout is attempting to implement a direct-sales model similar to other EV-only brands like Lucid, Rivian, and Tesla. But VW’s franchised dealers are fighting that.
The Traveler and Terra pay homage to the original Scout trucks with retro styling, a body-on-frame architecture, and an emphasis on physical controls over touchscreens. But they’re still expected to boast some software-based features, like pet and camp modes, comparable to the more tech-forward EV brands. A third model is also reportedly in the works, but timing is uncertain.