It’s a fairly common sight to see electric vehicles on the roadways these days; however, when I think back to a decade ago, I can only really recall Tesla vehicles (specifically, the Model S and X) as the main EVs I spotted. Now, I see plenty of Kia EV9, Rivian R1T, Cadillac Lyriq, and Polestar models out on the road. The EV market has a robust offering and yet Scout Motors could have found a segment of the marketplace that might set it apart from its aforementioned competitors. The company is backed by Volkswagen and will be a point of partnership between the German car maker and Rivian for parts of Scout’s technology within their vehicles.

Ryan Decker is the strategy director for Scout Motors and appears all in with what Scout Motors plans to roll out in a few years.

“The chance to reimagine an iconic American brand like Scout,” said Decker, “and do it in a way that has very credible vehicles on top: once in a lifetime.”

Scout’s Traveler SUV and Terra Truck have something familiar yet new about them. The brand is a reboot of its former self that had its passenger vehicle production ended back in 1980 after 20 years. The vehicles’ designs appears to have a retro-meets-future aesthetic that has a rugged look for present day. The Terra pickup truck boasts a towing power that can reach 10,000 pounds, and the Traveler SUV will have a retracting Cabana Top option to allow for what the company calls an “open-air experience, featuring one of the largest roof openings available in any SUV.” The vehicles will be manufactured at a plant currently under construction in Columbia, South Carolina.

But what might stand out to prospective EV buyers is Scout Motors’ Harvester gas range extender. It’s an attachment to the vehicle that Scout Motors describes as a “generator packaged in the vehicle platform that will recharge the vehicle’s high voltage battery”. The company says the maximum range this extender could bring will extend beyond the electric-only options’ 350 miles to possible more than 500 miles.

“The reality is, going all electric right now isn’t quite the perfect solution for everyone in the U.S.,” said Decker. “We’re not naive to that. There’s still a lot of anxiety around range, there’s still a lot of anxiety around charging.”

Again: gas. That’s where Decker says the company believes they solve challenges to range concerns among people who own or are considering buying an EV. Another challenge that’s made headlines in the past is cold weather’s effect on electric vehicles; the range being reduced in colder temperatures and climates.

“We’ve seen some of the headlines which, I think in many ways are a little alarmist when it’s -50 degrees outside and the EVs don’t work,” said Decker. I always like to comment on that in even in really cold climates, gas cars have engine block heaters and things they have to do.”

Decker also says the company is eager to hear feedback once consumers are able to take the Terra and Traveler vehicles for a spin.

“We want the feedback, we want the direct engagement,” said Decker. “It’s actually why we have forums on our website. From everything from ‘what colors do you like?’ to ‘what accessories do you want?’ We’re not going to be one of those companies in an ivory tower, ‘we know best we’re going to tell you what to do’. Come on down, let’s have a conversation.”

Scout Motors is targeting a price range below $60,000 for its vehicles with an estimated production start date around 2027.