Interesting - I know batteries are expensive, but that would be a surprise to me. We probably won't know the answer for 1-2 years sadly...
Gas Powered Range Extender
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I’ve heard the same thing (that the harvester will be the cheaper option) from a number of sources.
But like you said, we probably won’t know for sure for at least a year or more.
They mentioned the Harvester is probably cheaper to build but guaranteed you’re gonna pay more for it
I think the range extender is great for long haulers and people living more remote in Midwest and makes sense. I think those new to EV and are thinking range extender as a safety net are likely wasting their money because it’s an insurance policy that will likely never be needed. But just my opinion based on everything I’ve learned being on this forum for nearly 2 years
No range anxiety for me at 350 miles. I'm more concerned about how big the battery pack will need to be for that (Guessing somewhere close to 200 KwH) and how long that will take to charge with L2 chargers that typically only push 6-10 Kw.They mentioned the Harvester is probably cheaper to build but guaranteed you’re gonna pay more for it
I think the range extender is great for long haulers and people living more remote in Midwest and makes sense. I think those new to EV and are thinking range extender as a safety net are likely wasting their money because it’s an insurance policy that will likely never be needed. But just my opinion based on everything I’ve learned being on this forum for nearly 2 years
Two things. First, I email Scout Motors with a question about changing reservation and Fin responded immediately and we had a few emails until my questions and concerns were addressed - awesome customer service.
Second, I only reserved the Harvester version and was concerned that if information comes out later that may change my mind about this version, Scout said you can change the model you reserved without losing your place in line. So that was awesome to hear. It appears there’s no need to have multiple reservations unless you want that many Scouts in your garage, which is also cool!
Second, I only reserved the Harvester version and was concerned that if information comes out later that may change my mind about this version, Scout said you can change the model you reserved without losing your place in line. So that was awesome to hear. It appears there’s no need to have multiple reservations unless you want that many Scouts in your garage, which is also cool!
Yes. We were told that about a month ago on forum but surely buried in text lines by now
As I understand the Range Extender, once the battery charge drops to a low level, the gas range extender automatically kicks in. It generates electricity to maintain or extend the battery’s charge, allowing the vehicle to drive further. So, no need to stop to allow the main battery to be charged. Not sure if the “low level” of the main battery is user addressable to be set to engage the Range Extender though.
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This might help...
Technically, and because you do have 2 separate sub-systems being implemented in the same car, it would be considered as a PHEV "hybrid". The way the Scout Range Extender has been described is as a "SERIES" PHEV (second picture) with only electric motors turning the wheels.
The electric motors run by battery, and the battery receives its energy and electrons via direct charging AND/OR the RE gas engine:
This is what a series means in mechanical terms as it relates to a battery and the gas engine.
The gas engine is NOT connected to the drive shaft! It is used to generate electricity.
This is what the RAM set up (supposedly) will look like for its own "series" PHEV with a range extender
Full youtube explanation here:
Technically, and because you do have 2 separate sub-systems being implemented in the same car, it would be considered as a PHEV "hybrid". The way the Scout Range Extender has been described is as a "SERIES" PHEV (second picture) with only electric motors turning the wheels.
The electric motors run by battery, and the battery receives its energy and electrons via direct charging AND/OR the RE gas engine:
This is what a series means in mechanical terms as it relates to a battery and the gas engine.
The gas engine is NOT connected to the drive shaft! It is used to generate electricity.
This is what the RAM set up (supposedly) will look like for its own "series" PHEV with a range extender
Full youtube explanation here:
Scout showed what they expect the Harvester to look like. It’s obviously not a 3.6 l V6. It’s tiny. Tucked under the floor of the rear cargo space. So the balance between battery and gas in the Scout must lean heavily toward battery. The little gas engine will significantly extend the range but I very much doubt it will maintain battery state of charge while cruising down a highway. Most of the 500 mile estimate is going to be from the battery’s initial charge.
So it must be more like the BMW i3 than the Chevy Volt. Mostly electric with, and I quote, “a little bit of gas”.
Yes, I saw what Scout showed (below) and it was definitely smaller - different design that RAM of course, but same architecture in that picture... My intention (sorry if it wasn't clearly stated) was to show the difference between HYBRID models, and that the way Scout Motors is implementing the Harvester RE is as a "series" in such a way that the Harvester powers the battery (as shown in the RAM image). The video is pretty good if you have a chance to watch it.
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I'm definitely going EV-only. Especially here in California. That "little" gas motor still likely needs liquid cooling, emissions controls, cat converters, etc. also CARB approval (so emissions testing/etc.). I just don't see how all of that can be added and not drive the cost higher vs. more batteries. I know batteries are expensive, but they are getting cheaper and cheaper and won't require any additional hidden costs like the harvester will.
You also need to factor in additional maintenance, parts & servicing time required with the Harvester. Pure BEV has extremely LOW maintenance, so big plus in that department for sure. I am also going pure BEV.
You bring up an interesting point. What's the take-rate of the Harvester option in California? You've got vastly superior charging infrastructure than a lot of the country. If Scout didn't get CARB approval, would it just affect Harvester sales in CA, or the other states that have adopted some of the CARB standards? For years, lots of cars were 49-state compliant. Does that still exist?
My normal drive to the beach is 240 miles. You know how many Superchargers there on that route? Zero. A lot of the country is very different than CA.
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FWIW, I can say despite the outstanding design and legit offroad specs, if the Harvester Range Extender option were not available I would not have made a deposit, mostly due to towing and long cross country requirements but also due to me not being an EV person.
The fact that Scout Motors appears to be actually listening AND responding to customer desires, in the EV space, is hugely important to me.
The fact that Scout Motors appears to be actually listening AND responding to customer desires, in the EV space, is hugely important to me.
I believe these days everything is compliant to all 50 states, manufacturers pretty much just do what is needed to pass CA emissions regs and apply that to everything. Honestly I think what Scout is doing with the ERV is great, and will bring in a lot of folks who would not otherwise buy a pure EV. I'd bet the ER version will cost more than the all-electric version just because Scout will need to recoup a lot of engineering and regulatory expense to develop it.
Hi All,
Does anyone know if the range extender would add noise to the driving experience? Also, What would be the necessary on going maintenance on the range extender for the Terra?
Thanks
Does anyone know if the range extender would add noise to the driving experience? Also, What would be the necessary on going maintenance on the range extender for the Terra?
Thanks
I’m sure it won’t be as loud as a traditional engine but some minimal noise is to be expected. Even the near silent Honda generators make a little noise. The question will be whether or not the sound deadening in the vehicles will be enough to muffle it. Perhaps active noise cancellation will be included with it. It certainly won’t be as quite as a pure EV but on highway driving I suspect you’ll hardly notice it (theory only-I have no real idea)
As for maintenance -it’s an engine, albeit a small one so I would say a bit more maintenance than a riding mower would have but it ultimately depends on what style of engine they go with which they haven’t said a word about as of yet-it’s all speculation.
It’s a generator not an engine. It will recharge batteries as you drive. So it will make some noise sure, but shouldn’t make as much noise as an engine.
It's gas engine that turns a generator. It makes just as much noise as a gas engine turning a drive shaft.
So, you would have the maintenance of a normal combustion engine plus that of the electric components. Would the extender be working all the time or just as you start to get low on electric power? Thanks for your responses.
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