• The vast majority of Scout reservations are for the Extended Range Hybrid version (EREV).
• Many Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1S/R1T owners have reserved the Scout Traveler and Terra.
• The Traveler SUV seems to be the more popular choice between the two.

Scout Motors’ new electric vehicle concepts aim to combine old-school charm with modern technology.

The Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck offer features like physical buttons and optional bench seats, but also have modern technologies like an 800-volt system and zone architecture, along with reasonable off-road capability, of course.

And just days after the unveiling, it seems like they’re catching the attention of traditional car buyers, who are particularly excited about the extended-range hybrid (EREV) version.

According to a crowdsourced reservation tracker posted on the Scout EV forum, 81% of those who entered their order information chose the “Harvester” EREV.

The term “Harvester” refers to Scout’s EREV system, in which an engine and gas tank power a generator that charges a battery, which in turn powers the electric motors connected to the wheels. Harvester is an ode to International Harvester, which manufactured Scout off-roaders between 1961 and 1980.

The forum reports that over 600 well-known people had reserved the Scout EREVs as of Monday morning. About 58% chose the SUV, 34.5% chose the truck and 7.7% chose both. When choosing the powertrain, 81% chose the EREV and 19% chose the fully electric version. And 52.5% are non-electric vehicle owners. (We’ve reached out to Scout Motors to see if they have official reservation numbers and will update this post if we hear back.)

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Scout’s offering is likely to appeal to traditional gas SUV buyers, as many Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler owners have reserved the Traveler SUV, according to the reservation tracker.

There is currently no EREV in the US (the Chevy Volt was one), but several automakers are betting on it. The Ram 1500 Ramcharger is expected to be available early next year, and Hyundai has also outlined plans to introduce one by the end of the decade.

EREVs work like electric vehicles, with a motor as a backup. When the battery is empty, the engine starts to power the generator, which charges the battery and drives the wheels. This may sound counterintuitive. What good is an electric car that runs on gasoline? Well, it’s more nuanced.

EREV engines run at peak efficiency – unlike typical gasoline cars – and can be plugged in for charging like an electric vehicle, with the engine only used as a backup. Therefore, it might make sense for buyers who chug miles, and especially those who tow or haul frequently. Plus, they don’t have to worry about range and charging.

The Scout electric vehicles are expected to enter production by 2027 at an upcoming $2 billion plant in South Carolina, and the automaker hopes to bring them to market for under $60,000 before incentives, taxes and fees bring.

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