Scout Traveler HARVESTER & Terra HARVESTER - Gas Extended Range EVs

@scoutmotors is coming back with two new trucks, the Traveler SUV and Terra Pickup. Both vehicles come standard as a zero-tailpipe emission Battery Electric, or with an optional gasoline Range Extender called "Harvester". Let's take a look at how they can squeeze a gasoline engine into their trucks.

From the start, Scout Motors was established as a company that listens to and is guided by consumers. As the shift to electric vehicles accelerates and the mass market more seriously considers electric vehicle adoption, some U.S. drivers have expressed concerns about the ability to recharge while on the road. Scout Motors listened. The Scout Traveler and Scout Terra will offer an optional extended range electric vehicle (EREV) energy system, called Harvester™. A proprietary Scout EREV energy system will unlock
freedom on the road while still delivering off-road capability. With a small internal combustion engine added to the energy system, the gas-powered engine will recharge the vehicle’s high voltage battery, extending the range to more than an estimated 500 miles2 while maintaining the electric drive system’s instant response and off-road performance. With the option to refuel anywhere you can find a pump or a plug, all while maintaining the packaging and performance benefits of an electric vehicle, the Harvester energy system will deliver the benefits customers want in a lifestyle that works for them.

#scout #phev #electricvehicle #jeep #fordbronco #rivian #hummer

[VintageWanderer]

Cool video, like the looks but I wish the top could come off like the old

[ElliotGeno]

I think you may have overlooked the needed horsepower for this thing. First, an EREV doesn't have a mechanical linkage to the wheels. The electric motor powers the wheels entirely. You only need a generator spinning at a constant RPM to generate electricity. No need for a transmission or anything. VW has previously mentioned that this vehicle will share zero parts with any VW... so you do not need to worry about repackaging some VW engine in this thing. And as the above implies, there is no use case for one of their engines being repurposed in this vehicle. No.... I believe they will likely create a small generator operating at an optimized speed for replenishing the batteries. This could be quite small... more akin to what you can find in modern generators.

As for the gas tank I think I remember seeing a slide where they remove the rear 1/3 of the battery and replace it with a tank.

[atx-cvpi_]

It should be a naturally aspirated 1.0 engine. That engine should easily pass emissions standards.

[Jambaman]

I have both vehicles pre ordered in the harvester model. But the more I think about it, the less appealing it gets. So sit and charge for 30-40 mins then go to the gas station and potentially pay "premium" gas on a 15-20 gallon tank would suck, to say the least. Unless the gas tank is under 10 gallons, this just doesn't seem like a smart decision to go with. I will probably change my reservation to full EV, unless the range far surpasses 500 miles in the harvester.

[matthewalbers]

it would be easy to make the 1.0 3 cyl a 1.3L (just by stroking out the engine), and then make it Atkinson cycle. It could also require premium, or even run on E85 for more horsepower for better generator function. It could also be supercharged. remember these will only need to be constant speed engines, so they can be tuned to deliver extremely efficient HP at a particular RPM. And the RPM won't need to be like emergency generators who make AC power and need to be RPM some divisible of 60hz.... I like the idea of a REEV. I think it solves many problems with the current BEV SUVs and pickups.

[fwaynedavis]

From a purely functional perspective a small diesel would make more sense. if it is a generator and not a prime mover, there are already CARB, EPA ready devices in use in the commercial truck and RV space. More KW of output per displacement and gallon. Diesel also is more forgiving of sparse use where gasoline is not. Obviously from a perception of "green" diesel is a tougher call in North America.

[karlfriedrich]

They aren't going to spec it to operate solely from the electricity provided by the engine under all circumstances, so it doesn't need a 130kW (peak) engine. It's a range-extender to deliver a steady charge rate, not a petrol-electric vehicle like the Honda CRV eHEV.

They would likely need around 30kW or so to operate at highway speeds. Even a 1.0 or 1.2 VW enigne operating at 1500-2000 rpm comfortably makes 30-40kW.

Really, if they made the decision to use a diesel, the range could be incredible. Diesel-electric is one of the most efficient powertrains out there, the US seems to have some sort of aversion to diesel though so those chances are pretty darn slim I'd imagine.

[raynettleton]

As other have said, this motor will be much smaller. I am going to guess 40 HP or so. They should make it so the engine and genset can drop out for service. This is a hard application. On one hand, it will not start and stop a lot, nor should it see that many clock hours unless the owner is constantly taking road trips over 300 miles. On the other hand it will run hard when it runs and with sound insulation and it could get hot.

[rodelruiz]

I'll take one with a ls engine option!

[EB-ssor]

The gas engine will not need to be nearly as large as you suggest. At minimum, all it needs to do is supply the *average* power required to move the vehicle at the maximum design speed (e.g.: 75 - 85mph), meaning the vehicle could go that fast (on average) without draining the battery at all. The *most* it would need to do is provide that plus recharge the battery at whatever the electric energy consumption is at a similar speed (maybe ~0.5 kwhr per mile. Neither of these are anywhere near 100hp for a vehicle like the Scout.
In the past, the problem has been EPA rules that severely limit the size of the fuel tank in EREVs. Hopefully, that will change with the new administration.

[GregariousAntithesis]

Should be the VW TDI hybrid then us die hard diesel fanatics could love it like i loved my scouts and my VW TDIs

[joeyho]

Imagine using Christian von Koenigsegg's TFG, a 2 l inline 3 engine with 300 hp output or 600 hp output with turbo, as a range extender. Oh, and it weighs only 70 kg ( 154 lbs).

[davidl.howser]

So does the Harvester EREV utilize a VW-Porsche Boxer Engine low center of gravity package?

[chriscoyle]

VW/Porsche
Porsche boxer could wedge in the same area and produce 200+. Pending on version

[davidc]

BMW i3 is tuned for 35 hp. Since the engine runs at a constant speed, and the battery is used for torque, so they will not need that much HP. Speculation, but maybe an non turbo 3cyl detuned to 70 HP would be adequate.

[excellenttwo]

I think this is a question I hope VW answers in its planning. Does the motor warm up the cold battery during winter, or does it heat the vehicle when remotely started? If the motor can be removed, what is its purpose? If it's a stand-alone generator, how does it offset the weight of the motor, like a mini crane? Can the motor serve other purposes, and is its cooling, exhaust, and fuel system self-contained or adaptable for different fuels? If the motor I’d like to know if it's possible to increase voltage output in a vehicle. I’d love to hear people's thoughts on this. If it is regularly removed, can the case have a protected shell so that in transport, it is not damaged?

[michaelalquist]

COMMUNITY NOTE: A few things about the information this person provides that is wrong. 1) it isn't the engine size, number of cylinders or fuel type used that creates electrical energy, it's the way in which generating power is coupled to that engine to recharge or charge the batteries while the vehicle is moving or stationary. 2) VW could put a few high amperage alternators in line and create a powerful regen system with as little 1.0 liter engine size or less. Size does not matter, what they are probably looking for is quiet, smooth and fuel efficient as one can get in today's world.

Great video though, just needed to inform those watching corrected facts.

[grrkaa]

1.) I don't think you need as much HP for the REx to make sense
2.) don't forget that VW also owns Ducati
3.) an optimised 1.2 TDI from the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza would make an awesome long lasting compact efficient generator
4.) the Scouts do really really look good indeed

[bmwlane]

Who wants to buy I can't see this being a big seller

[allanedwards]

Why not be a naturally aspirated range extender? Gas turbo would be overcomplicated and a repair/maintenance headache. Love the overall design and range extender option. First EV i'd actually consider. Be much more comfortable with TDi range extender if has to have a turbo.