New EV Brand: Scout Motors
Scout Motors, a new U.S.-based brand owned by the Volkswagen group, is set to bring back the spirit of the rugged and iconic International Harvester Scout pickups and SUVs, but this time for the electric era. Designed and engineered in Michigan, and built in a new electric-focused factory in South Carolina, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and the Scout Terra electric pickup are both rugged, versatile trucks designed for family duty as well as off-road adventure, and they can be ordered starting today.
Scout Terra and Traveler Powertrains
While the Terra pickup and Traveler SUV are based on a rugged body-on-frame structure, like many traditional pickups, they have been designed as electric vehicles from the ground up. The strong structure provides a safety cell for the large EV battery between its rails.
Compact but powerful electric drive units are mounted at the front and rear axles; the new Scout models all come with standard four-wheel drive. No horsepower claims are made, but the all-electric trucks will deliver almost 1,000 lb-ft of torque, promising great off-road ability. Indeed, the company claims that the vehicles will have the ability to climb 100 percent grades – as well as rip to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
What’s interesting about the new Scout models is that they will be available with an optional gasoline “range extender” – a small internal combustion engine whose only job is to help charge the battery. Similar in concept to the original Chevrolet Volt, or the upcoming 2025 Ramcharger pickup, the gas engine never actually powers the wheels, meaning it can take up a very small amount of space, without the extra weight and complexity of a multi-gear transmission.
These powertrains will provide impressive capability: the Terra can tow over 10,000 pounds, while the Traveler can tow 7,500. Both vehicles have a maximum payload of 2,000 pounds - better than almost any of their competitors.
New Scout Truck Range and Charging
While it has not yet shared full specifications of battery capacity, Scout claims that the full-electric versions of the Terra and Traveler will be capable of 350 miles of range. That suggests a pretty big battery, given the trucks’ boxy look, knobby off-road tires, elevated ride height, and the overall large size – all characteristics that contribute to a less-aerodynamic profile.
350 miles should be more than enough range for most day-to-day use cases; but for those longer adventures, the new Scout Terra and Traveler will also offer ultra-fast charging speeds. Both are built on a state-of-the-art 800-volt electrical architecture, which not only can use lighter wiring, but also helps keep electrical components cooler while charging. Scout promises a 350-kW maximum charging speed, making these vehicles class-leading, and among the fastest-charging EVs you can buy, period.
The Terra and Traveler will ship with a standard North American Charging System (NACS)-style plug, meaning that access to Tesla’s Supercharger network will be built-in from day 1. Bi-directional charging is also standard, meaning that these electric trucks can be used to power all kinds of electrical devices, or even your home in an emergency; with the right kind of home charger, you may also be able to sell electrical capacity back to the grid when your Scout is plugged in. There are also numerous power outlets around the vehicle, including multiple USB-C power outlets, multiple 120-volt plugs, and even a 240-volt power outlet, which is an industry first.
For drivers who need to go further between stops than 350 miles, there’s always the range extender option, which Scout says will add 150 miles of range with the small gasoline engine, a small fuel tank, and the ability to charge the EV battery on-the-go. A bladder-busting 500-mile range is on tap for drivers that choose this option.
Iconic Design Revived
The new Scout models combine the most distinctive characteristics of the original, sold from 1961 to 1980, with the most modern and up-to-date technology. They both feature a bold, rugged design with a very short front overhang for great off-road ability, a long hood that encloses a large front trunk, and a long rear end for exceptional cargo-carrying ability. We like how pure these trucks look: there’s no add-on cladding, goofy graphics, or anything fake.
Up front, the black “mask” makes a bold, graphic statement, reminding you of the original Scout vehicles while integrating modern LED lighting elements. Huge off-road tires, broad shoulders, and a tall greenhouse combine a rough-and-ready stance without feeling overly aggressive.
Out back, the Scout Traveler offers a huge cargo area which can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. The spare tire carrier integrates into the body structure and the rear end’s graphics, and means that the full-size 35-inch spare doesn’t take up any cargo space, or impact the aerodynamics. The Scout terra has a “right-sized” 5.5-foot pickup bed, with the choice of an under-body spare tire carrier, or one that’s mounted inside the pickup bed.
Scout EV Interior
These big electric trucks have big interiors, which follow a philosophy of being simple, bold, tactile, and easy-to use. The dash is a simple “brow” which is reminiscent of the original Scout, and integrates a digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen that integrates most of the vehicle’s functions, with a row of physical toggle switches and knobs below it for the most important functions like climate controls.
On the Traveler SUV, a multi-functional center console is standard and has huge storage space and can be configured exactly how you want, while the Terra pickup has a front-row bench seat instead of the multi-functional console. Buyers can choose which setup is right for them – if you want a front-row bench in the Traveler, you can have it, and you can have the big console in the Terra if you prefer.
As you would expect of an electric vehicle, both the Terra and Traveler make significant use of sustainable and recycled materials, which have been chosen for their durability. The “Scout Community UX” interface for the infotainment system has been designed to be simple to use and highly responsive, with all functions easy to access at a glance.
Scout Traveler and Terra: Pricing and Availability
While we’re seeing the first images and video of the new Scout models today, it’s going to be a little bit of a wait before we see these exciting, rugged new electric trucks on our road; the first production vehicles are targeted to arrive in early 2027, when the new factory in South Carolina is set to open its doors.
The good news is the anticipated starting price. With a promised starting MSRP of under $60,000 before incentives (being built in the U.S., with American-sourced battery components, the Terra and Traveler should be eligible for the $7,500 federal rebate), the new Scouts represent strong value for money.
We can’t wait to see and drive these trucks for ourselves; 2027 can’t come soon enough.
