The Scout brand, originally known for making the International Harvester back in the 60s and 70s, was purchased by Volkswagen (VWAGY) in 2021 and reborn as an electric adventure brand — and its two latest vehicles are here: the Terra pickup and the Traveler SUV.
The two EV trucks both use body-on-frame platforms like current pickups and some larger SUVs, eschewing modern unibody design. Scout says that platform, plus a live rear axle and mechanically locking front and rear differentials, gives the two adventure EVs “credible capability and off-road performance.”
Performance-wise, the two trucks can go from 0-60 mph in only 3.5 seconds, with the four-wheel drive system (most likely dual motor) outputting 1,000 lb. ft of torque.
Most interesting is that both models will offer a range-extender hybrid version, known as an extended range electric vehicle (EREV), which Scout calls the “Harvester.” EREVs are basically electric vehicles with smaller batteries that include a regular gas motor that fires up when battery is depleted and charges the battery, allowing for more range.
The EV-only Terra and Traveler will get an estimated 350 miles of range, but the Harvester models will get more than 500 miles.
“I think it’s the perfect technology for what’s happening in America today. It gets you up over 500 miles [with a] gas generator powering the battery,” Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh told Yahoo Finance. “It introduces electrification to America that gives you the safety and security of a gas-powered engine. It gives us the flexibility in our plant and in our platform. So for us, it’s spot-on.”
Keough said the addition of the EREV was because customers are looking for more range in their EVs. “Maybe it was a little bit on the back burner about nine months ago; we put it on the front burner,” he said. “It’s a good solution and it gives us the flexibility, which is what we want.”
Scout says the trucks are designed and engineered in Michigan and will be built in a new plant in South Carolina, creating over 4,000 jobs.
Design-wise, the Traveler most resembles the original International Harvester, though of course thoroughly modernized. The Terra truck looks awfully close to a Rivian R1T, though Scout won’t say so. The use of zonal software architecture, fancy talk for localized systems throughout the truck, does not actually come from Rivian (who is VW’s joint venture partner), but Keogh said the opportunity exists for collaboration in the future.
Pricing for the entry-level Terra and Traveler will start under $60,000, though they could be had for around $50,000 with state and federal incentives. Production is targeted for a 2027 start date, but customers can make reservations starting today.