Scout has received 50,000 bookings, 70% of which are Traveller SUVs

Scout CEO says adding EREV powertrain gives the brand “ultimate flexibility” to respond to changing market

After several years of teasing, Scout Motors finally revealed two of its products late last year. Now that it’s revealed more about the public’s reaction, things are looking good. Here are some interesting details about what customers are most interested in and Scout’s reactions.

Originally launched in 1961, the brand was taken off the market and relaunched decades later by Volkswagen. Now, the company is working on bringing two models to market: the Terra pickup truck and the Traveller SUV. Each model will be equipped with an all-electric or electric range-extended (EREV) powertrain with a range of up to 500 miles (805 kilometers).

More: California dealers tell VW to stop scouting direct sales model

A new report claims that more than 50,000 customers have signed up and paid deposits for a new Scout. Among them, most people requested extended-range electric vehicles. This allows them to run on electricity alone, or increase their range with an onboard gas generator. For Scout CEO Scott Keogh, the EREV platform is a big reason why these cars are getting so much attention.

EREV eliminates range anxiety

“This gives us a 50-state vehicle,” Keogh said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday. “We see two challenges in terms of electrification, charging infrastructure – which, of course, is no longer an issue – but also convenience. I think with those two things, range extenders make a lot of sense .” He added that about 70% of bookings were for Traveller SUVs, confirming the company’s own expectations.

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume explained his vision for success at CES. “The market response has been very, very positive,” he said. The response was, “It’s a legacy.” …This is a love story. “We’re very pleased with the numbers,” Keogh told CNBC. EREV has been well received. “

For the Scout, utilizing an extended-range electric powertrain is a smart move. Few other automakers have used it, and there’s no doubt it could reduce range anxiety for many potential EV owners. For those who want to travel in electric vehicles, the charging network is not large enough or stable enough.

Flexible enough to respond to any policy and market changes

Gas SUVs aren’t clean enough for others, so an EREV might be the best of both worlds. Volkswagen is currently building a $2 billion plant for the Scout in South Carolina, which Keogh said won’t require major modifications to produce the extended-range version.

More: Volkswagen and Rivian team up to develop electric vehicle technology, expected to launch in 2027

Given the uncertainty over the incoming Trump administration’s stance on electric vehicles and the (very likely) elimination of tax credits, Scout’s CEO believes, “This gives you the most flexibility. No matter where the U.S. goes, road, we will all have a technology platform that can harness it in the next 20 or 30 years.”

Scout is also constantly innovating. The brand says it will now offer satellite internet connectivity, meaning you can stay connected while off the grid.