Harvester Engine (Range Extender) will be a VW engine, quiet, and tucked away

[Macallan 18]

Scout’s Range Extender Will Be a VW Engine That You Won’t Even Notice

Scout says its gas range extender will be mounted so low and far behind the passengers that they won't even know it's there when it's on.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/scouts-range-extender-will-be-a-vw-engine-that-you-wont-even-notice

"since the engine only has to act as an electricity generator for the battery, Scout might be able to get away with using one of VW’s smaller-displacement Euro-market engines."​

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If you’ve ever driven a BMW i3, you’d know that range extenders aren’t always the most enjoyable things to use. When that little Bavarian scooter engine kicks on, it sounds and feels like there’s a lawnmower in the trunk. The i3 also loses a ton of power while relying on the gas engine for electro-juice. But Ryan Decker, head of strategy at Scout, says there’s nothing to worry about in their implementation. Since the Scout is body-on-frame, with a traditional truck-style ladder frame, there’s plenty of room in the back of the chassis to hide the little range extender away.​

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“It’s so far away you don’t hear it, you don’t feel it, so you still get the sensation of driving a quiet, small electric vehicle,” said Decker.​

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Keogh also squashed any fears that either Scout model would lose power, off-roading ability, or towing capacity when the gas engine kicks on. “You still have 100% gradability, you still have all the ground clearance, you still have a frunk, you still have all of the things.”​

 

[Mr._Bill]

Scout has not announced any actual details about the generator package. Use of a VW engine is possible, but still speculation at this point.

 

[Deuce]

That's fine. It's an engine that'll probably never be stressed much to recharge a battery. VW can do it. There's no issues with transmissions or lots of other parts so I'm not worried with whatever engine they pick.

 

[Pogeegitz]

I'm curious as to whether the range extender will be able to function as a generator, and/or run while the vehicle is parked to charge the battery. Back-country camping for extended periods is a big part of what I plan on using my Terra for.

 

[soedesh]

Looks like VW has a 1.0 liter three cylinder gas engine (EA211 1.0 R3) that puts out a minimum of 60hp (44kW), so maybe something like that. One source says it weighs about 194lb. I wonder if these range extenders need to meet all the same emissions tests as a ICE vehicle...