The “Harvester” system equips the Scout Terra and Traveller with a small generator engine, providing an additional 150 miles of range
Scout Motors’ upcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup trucks are packed with interesting features, but the most surprising is that they don’t have to be fully electric. Unlike many EV startups, Scout has created a sort of hybrid option.
Both the Traveler and Terra will offer a gas-powered range extender. Called the Harvester, a nod to the original International Harvester that built the first Scout, this system adds 150 miles of range. With up to 350 miles of all-electric range, the extender pushes these trucks beyond 500 miles, addressing range anxiety that many American consumers have with EVs.
The gas engine won’t power the wheels directly; instead, it will charge the onboard 800-volt battery. This concept isn’t new—Chevy introduced it with the Volt in 2010, and BMW offered a similar option in the i3, using a two-cylinder motorcycle engine to extend its limited battery range. The upcoming Ram 1500 Ramcharger will also feature a V-6 engine to boost its range to nearly 700 miles. However, none of the other new EV players are offering something like this.
It’s a smart approach, given that Scout trucks are likely to be heavy, and weight negatively impacts both efficiency and range. The trucks will have the added weight of the battery pack, solid rear axle, and the traditional body-on-frame construction. Achieving 350 miles of range in a vehicle like this would be impressive—though it may be less of a challenge by the time the Terra and Traveler go into production in 2027. Extending the range beyond 500 miles will significantly increase their appeal, particularly for the overlanding and adventure crowd that Scout aims to attract.
Many questions still remain. We don’t know what engine Scout plans to use or where it will be located. Will the Harvester system occupy the front trunk? How much will it weigh? What will it cost?
Despite the uncertainties, it’s a noteworthy feature, and it will be interesting to see if customers embrace it. This could be the factor that wins them over.
