Jay Leno drives Scout Hybrid Harvester - Towing Capacity, Gas Fuel Tank Capacity, More Specs Revealed

[Drake_M]

Who can explain the battery difference. They said it was for cost and weight.

NiMh are more robust, but have a lower energy density which translates in less range. But, they are also much cheaper and easier to produce.

I estimate $9950 premium for the Harvester.

 

[NukeDukem]

No mention/confirmation of range for the battery only models?

 

[justinjas]

I thought he said 11,000 pounds when in EV mode, but drops to 5,000 when using the gas engine. I felt he sort of glazed over it.

That’s also how I understood it. I get it, have to consider they need to have this thing rated so you can go up a mountain with it and not run out of battery before the gas engine can keep it from depleting, so they have to rate conservatively, but that is disappointing. It’d be able to tow our current camper fine but really limits what we’d be able to get in the future.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Long ways off until one rolls off the line, lots can happen.

 

[mcnels1]

Very different battery chemistries between the two, the EV gets nickel metal hydride? Is there another BEV using NMH?

Neither is using nickel metal hydride. Both are using lithium batteries, just with different chemistries. The pure EV will use Nickel Magnesium Cobalt (NMC), which has better energy density, tolerates cold better, but degrade faster, especially if it is fully charged or fully discharged. The Harvester versions will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) which has better longevity, tolerates full charges and discharges better, is cheaper per kilowatt-hour, but is less energy dense and doesn't tolerate cold as well.

Toyota hybrids (not plug-ins) used NiMH batteries, but those were a couple of kWh max. The last version of GM's EV1 (from 1999) used NiMH, but I believe all the current mainstream EVs and plug-in hybrids use lithium batteries, and even traditional hybrids are transitioning to lithium.

I'm really disappointed by by the 5000 pound tow rating for the Harvester versions. I'm not cancelling my reservation yet, but I was hoping for more than mid-size SUV towing capability. The only pickup with a lower tow rating is the Maverick's 4000 pounds. The Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Fe can tow 5000 pounds!

 

[Drake_M]

Neither is using nickel metal hydride. Both are using lithium batteries, just with different chemistries. The pure EV will use Nickel Magnesium Cobalt (NMC), which has better energy density, tolerates cold better, but degrade faster, especially if it is fully charged or fully discharged. The Harvester versions will use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) which has better longevity, tolerates full charges and discharges better, is cheaper per kilowatt-hour, but is less energy dense and doesn't tolerate cold as well.

Toyota hybrids (not plug-ins) used NiMH batteries, but those were a couple of kWh max. The last version of GM's EV1 (from 1999) used NiMH, but I believe all the current mainstream EVs and plug-in hybrids use lithium batteries, and even traditional hybrids are transitioning to lithium.

I'm really disappointed by by the 5000 pound tow rating for the Harvester versions. I'm not cancelling my reservation yet, but I was hoping for more than mid-size SUV towing capability. The only pickup with a lower tow rating is the Maverick's 4000 pounds. The Honda Ridgeline and Hyundai Santa Fe can tow 5000 pounds!

Thanks for the clarifications on the different batteries, much appreciated!

 

[Lakesinai]

No mention/confirmation of range for the battery only models?

That was at launch. 350mi, I believe. 500 Harvester.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

7K towing is almost essential

 

[The Weatherman]

I wonder if the tow rating discrepancy is a battery chemistry thing? I’m new to EV batteries, but it shouldn’t be much difference (certainly not 5k lbs!) between curb weight on harvester versus BEV.

Anyone who knows batteries that can chime in on…idk discharge rates? Heat dissipation issues?

It’s the added weight of the generator. It increases the GVW and therefore reduces the towing capability.

 

[PDACPA]

That’s also how I understood it. I get it, have to consider they need to have this thing rated so you can go up a mountain with it and not run out of battery before the gas engine can keep it from depleting, so they have to rate conservatively, but that is disappointing. It’d be able to tow our current camper fine but really limits what we’d be able to get in the future.

My thought was they want to say it can tow a pretty heavy load and that checks the box. The current towing by other EV's is a fairly short distance before needing a charge, so the Scout could win in that department with the Harvester, but sounds like it might be limited to the 5,000 pound load to win that battle.

 

[The Weatherman]

Did anyone else catch that driving solely on gas is possible? I think he said at 70mph? Am I misunderstanding or misremembering that?

So assuming these vehicles get 2 miles/kwh, which seems to be what these size of vehicles are getting, the harvester engine would have to produce 35kw continuous? Does that seem feasible for the engine they have described? 4 cyl, non turboed, etc, likely around 2liter? 35kw seems like a bit much for an engine that size. Something isn't adding up for me.

Don’t forget he was the CEO. They tend to go with flow in a detailed conversation about their products.

Both vehicles will run directly from the battery powered motors. The engine will simply charge the battery. If you don’t plug in to charge you will have run the engine for some period to charge the battery before you start.

If the Harvester only adds 150 miles to another wise 350 ranges battery while using 15gals of fuel, it’s not very effluent.

In effect you will not be running as a gas powered vehicle. Furthermore, your talking about a 4-cylinder engine who want to run solely off that in large/heavy vehicle.

I’m BEV all the way.

 

[The Weatherman]

Who can explain the battery difference. They said it was for cost and weight.

The LFP chemistry allows for faster/more frequent barging with less battery degradation.

 

[justinjas]

It’s the added weight of the generator. It increases the GVW and therefore reduces the towing capability.

That’s not my understanding from the video. He specifically says in EV mode it can tow 10k and 7k. Once you are using the harvester it’s lowered to 5k. This seems to be an issue with the battery being able stay charged from the 4 cylinder engine when towing anything above 5k.

 

[JesseS]

Don’t forget he was the CEO. They tend to go with flow in a detailed conversation about their products.

Both vehicles will run directly from the battery powered motors. The engine will simply charge the battery. If you don’t plug in to charge you will have run the engine for some period to charge the battery before you start.

If the Harvester only adds 150 miles to another wise 350 ranges battery while using 15gals of fuel, it’s not very effluent. (efficient)

In effect you will not be running as a gas powered vehicle. Furthermore, your talking about a 4-cylinder engine who want to run solely off that in large/heavy vehicle.

I’m BEV all the way.

Backwards, the Harvester adds 350 miles to a EV range of 150 for a 500 mile total.

 

[The Weatherman]

That’s not my understanding from the video. He specifically says in EV mode it can tow 10k and 7k. Once you are using the harvester it’s lowered to 5k. This seems to be an issue with the battery being able stay charged from the 4 cylinder engine when towing anything above 5k.

I would suggest you review that section again. He was not very clear, but I can assure the information I provided is correct. The engine is doing no more/no less than charging the battery. It is it and the additional components that go with it that limit the towing weight.