A gas engine-equipped Scout is coming, CEO says
Scout Motors is doubling down on extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) as a way to ease drivers into the EV transition. The company recently shared new details about its upcoming gas range-extender-equipped models, which are proving to be more popular than their battery-electric (BEV) counterparts. With a four-cylinder engine and an EV powertrain, Scout's EREVs will offer a total range of about 500 miles, including 150 miles of pure electric driving.Scout is positioning its EREVs as a middle ground for buyers who may not be ready to fully commit to an EV. The EREVs will be equipped with a smaller battery—between 60 and 70 kWh—compared to the BEVs, which will have a battery capacity in the 120 to 130 kWh range, Scout CEO Scott Keogh shared on a recent MotorTrend podcast episode.
While the BEVs will deliver around 350 miles of range, the EREVs will extend that to 500 miles by incorporating a gas-powered range extender. The four-cylinder engine, dubbed the "Harvester," will act solely as a generator and is expected to be sourced from Volkswagen.Despite their different powertrains, Scout is ensuring both models remain equally capable. The BEV version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 3.5 seconds, while the EREV will take an extra second, clocking in at around 4.5 seconds. Both vehicles' payload capacity is expected to be around 2,000 lbs, and they have similar towing capabilities. The EREV, however, may prove more practical for towing over longer distances, as it avoids the dramatic range loss that can impact BEVs under heavy loads.
The placement of the range-extending engine behind the rear axle presents some unique engineering challenges, including cooling and air intake solutions. Keogh hinted at a "creative" approach to managing airflow, though specifics have yet to be revealed.
The two models will use different battery chemistries, which will impact their power output. Keogh suggested that the EREV will have a more cost-effective battery, likely resulting in lower performance, though he didn't provide specifics.Early reservations suggest strong interest in the range-extender model, with Keogh confirming that over 50% of pre-orders are for the EREV variant. Additionally, 70% of buyers have opted for the Traveller SUV over the Terra pickup.
Keogh also highlighted Scout's commitment to domestic manufacturing, noting that 85% of the company's supply chain is based in the U.S. This ensures less reliance on foreign imports and makes Scout vehicles eligible for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit, at least while it's still available.
With its blend of electric and gasoline power, the Scout EREV aims to win over buyers who are hesitant about charging infrastructure or range limitations. By offering a mix of extended range and strong performance, Scout is making a compelling case for its latest models.
The question now is whether consumers will see EREVs as a true stepping stone toward full electrification or just another hybrid alternative. Either way, with 500 miles of range on tap, Scout's EREVs may be the right fit for those who want to reduce their reliance on gas without fully cutting the hose.
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When the dust (and smoke) settled, one product stood out as the most rugged, simple, and cost-effective cure for dead batteries and deflated tires: the Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNCAIR 1700 What I Looked For I designed the tests for this review and selected products with the goal of finding the best jump starter and tire inflator combos. That means products that are reliable, easy to use, and budget-friendly. Among the popular products on the market, six stood out as the most promising. I put them to the test with the following criteria in mind: The more amperage and the more vehicle starts a jump box can deliver, the more likely it'll get you back on the road quickly Tire inflators should be able to top up all four tires on a single charge Built-in pressure gauges should be accurate A tire inflator that works quickly is more convenient The pump should be able to inflate tires to 80 psi to accommodate the high pressures needed for heavy-duty pickup trucks When stowed in its carrying case, the unit should be compact enough to keep in a vehicle Additional features such as a flashlight, a USB port for charging a phone, and adapters for filling balls, pool rafts, and air mattresses are nice to have but not mandatory Specifications and Test Results for the Best Jump Starter and Tire Inflators Jump Starter & Tire Inflator Reviews Best Overall Jump Starter & Tire Inflator: Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry JNCAIR 1700 Pros Life-proof rubberized design Long and rugged cables Good for 30+ jump starts Cons Very heavy No LED light No USB ports In our test: The JNCAIR 1700 is like a 30-pound dumbbell that can inflate four of your tires and then jump start every car in your neighborhood. Inside the grippy rubber and plastic housing is a lead-acid battery and air compressor built to handle dead batteries and flat tires in all kinds of conditions. On the front of the device, you'll find a cigarette-lighter-style 12-volt outlet to power your portable electronics in an emergency and a dial indicating the power level of the jump starter's battery. Out back there's an analog dial indicating air pressure, and the inflator hose is tightly coiled and mounted to the unit. I connected the JNCAIR 1700 to the AutoMeter BVA-34 load tester to see how close I could get to the claimed 1,700 peak amps. The battery tester indicated a maximum current of 463 amps, the second-highest of any product in this test. Again, after fully charging the JNCAIR 1700, I used the BVA-34 to simulate repeated jump starts. It maintained 9.6 volts for more than 50 starts. To be sure there was power remaining, I disconnected the battery from my 2017 Jeep Wrangler, and the Clore jumped it without issue. The final test was attempting to start my stone-cold 1986 M1028 CUCV army and its fossilized 6.2-liter V-8 diesel engine. The JNCAIR 1700 was the only product that not only cranked over the big diesel but also allowed the dormant engine to fire up. To evaluate the integrated tire inflator, I ran the same tests I developed for my review of the best portable tire inflators. The JNCAIR 1700 inflated four tires from 25 to 35 psi in just over three minutes per tire with barely any drop on the analog battery level gauge. I suspect at least three more cars' worth of tires could be topped off on one charge. Next, the JNCAIR 1700 refilled a flat 33-inch tire in 11 minutes and 17 seconds, the second-fastest time across all products I've tested. Again, this task barely affected the charge level. The machine also did not appear overly hot or overworked at any point during inflation. To finish the inflation tests, the JNCAIR 1700 filled my high-pressure air tank from 40 to 80 psi in 3 minutes and 48 seconds with ease. The only frustration with the JNCAIR 1700 was unfurling the plastic inflator hose. The instructions claim it is 12 feet, but the hose is molded in such a way that you feel like you're about to break it if you stretch it past 5 feet. The solution? I know it's heavy, but just pick it up and carry it over to the next tire. Bottom Line: When it comes to batteries jumped and tires inflated per dollar, you can't beat the power of this stout unit as long as you can lift it and don't mind its larger size. Best Compact Jump Starter and Tire Inflator: NOCO Boost Air AX65 Pros Wicked-quick inflation Sturdy construction Reliable jump starts Cons Deceptively heavy Stubby jumper cables Quick to discharge its battery In our test: Despite its weight and a couple flaws, the NOCO Boost Air AX65 will impress you with its versatility and ferociously fast inflation. As you heft the 9.8-pound unit from the box, you'll notice the absence of a carrying case. Instead, there's a dainty velvety drawstring sack. The built-in inflator hose wraps neatly around the unit, and the jumper clamps can be stored separately in the carrying sack and plugged in when necessary. Also in the box is a 24-inch USB-C charging cable, a needle adapter, Presta valve adapter, and an inflatable toy adapter. Finally, there's a built-in 100-lumen LED work light. NOCO claims the Boost Air AX65 can deliver 2,000 amps to a dead battery during a jump start. When I connected the AX65 to our AutoMeter BVA-34 Battery Load Tester, I observed an output of 371 amps. While not anywhere close to the peak amperage on the box, this is more than sufficient to jumpstart a modern car, truck, or SUV. Next, I charged up the NOCO using the 24-inch USB-C cord (and my own wall adapter because that's not included) and simulated the power draw of a traditional jump start. The NOCO Boost Air AX65 had enough juice for five jump starts before the device showed a heat fault and a low-battery warning. When the unit cooled down from this test, enough power remained to jumpstart the 2017 Jeep Wrangler sitting dormant in my garage. Finally, I again recharged the NOCO and clamped it to the incredibly dead battery of my 1986 M1028 CUCV. It is challenging to arrange the short cables while clamping to the battery terminals without the device itself tumbling into the depths of the engine bay. Once connected, the NOCO cranked the 6.2-liter diesel over several times but did not start the truck. The NOCO Boost Air AX65 blew away the competition in my inflation tests. The mighty machine took a 33-inch tire from empty to 35 psi in 5 minutes and 30 seconds, breaking a record held by the Viair 88P (from my best tire inflator comparison). It also needed 1 minute and 53 seconds to take a slightly deflated 25-psi tire up to 35 psi, the quickest time out of all the inflator and jump starter combos I tested. The NOCO also had no issue filling a tire (or in my case, a 5-gallon air tank) up to 80 psi to simulate a high-pressure truck or bicycle tire. While I can't discredit the speed of the NOCO Boost Air AX65, let's hope you only have two slightly flat tires to top off—because the 32-watt-hour lithium-ion battery only made it halfway through the third tire. Bottom Line: The NOCO Boost Air AX65 is a potent jump starter and lightning-quick tire inflator with a dazzling LED work light and on-the-go USB power. We just wish they could pack more energy into its battery. Other Tire Inflators I Tested DeWalt DXAEJ14 Portable Power Station Jump Starter and Compressor: Consider this a 'lite' version of the JNCAIR 1700 with a digital screen. Slightly cheaper, a little less powerful, and it has USB ports. Stanley J5C09 Portable Power Station Jump Starter and Compressor: Although it looked promising with a tough design and plenty of features, this device would not hold a charge and could not be tested. Viking Jump Starter and Power Pack with Air Compressor: Following its initial charge-up, I was able to charge one mobile device from the Viking's USB port—once. After that, neither the power port, jumper cables, nor the air compressor showed any signs of life, and testing was aborted. Trekure 10-In-1 Car Battery Jump Starter and Air Compressor: This device delivered the strongest peak amperage of the test but failed almost every inflation exercise, often overheating and producing smoke. Between purchasing it and publishing this story, it has been removed from Amazon. How I Tested the Jump Starter Tire Inflator Combos Each jump starter went through a decathlon of tests to make sure it could inflate tires just as well as it could start vehicles with dead batteries. I tested each product in the garage and in the driveway, using them just like you will. Max Current Test: Check the packaging on these devices and you'll be smothered with extravagant claims of four-digit 'peak amps.' While some might disregard these figures, of course we had to test 'em. We hooked each jump starter to an AutoMeter BVA-34 carbon pile load tester to see how much power we could squeeze out and whether that number matched the claim on the box. We were not surprised when none of the devices matched the alleged peak amp claims. Jump Start Gauntlet: I used the AutoMeter BVA-34 battery tester to simulate the power draw of one jump start and repeated that test until the jump starter's voltage dropped below 9.6V. This gave me an estimate of how many successful jump starts each device can perform on one charge. When the jump starter dropped below 9.6 volts, I hooked each one up to my 2017 Jeep Wrangler to see if the remaining power was enough for one last start. Dead Battery Test: So, your car battery is dead. Like, dead dead. Well, my 1986 Chevy M1028 CUCV has a 6.2-liter diesel engine, two very dead batteries, and hasn't turned over in almost a year. Can any of these jump starters zap some life into this old army truck? If it can make this heavy Chevy power up, I reckon it'll help you out in a pinch. Four-Tire Top-Up Test: Imagine you find all four of your car's tires a little low on air in the morning before work. You need an inflator that can fill all four tires from 25 psi (visibly low on air) to 35 psi (common operating air pressure in a passenger vehicle tire). This testmeasured how quickly these inflators could get you back on the road. We also checked for accuracy at the end using a calibrated air pressure gauge. Flat Tire Test: Uh oh, your day just got worse! There's a completely flat tire standing between you and daycare pickup. Can the inflator get you from empty to full in one session? I timed how long each inflator took to pressurize a tire from 0 psi to 35 psi. Maximum Pressure Test: Finally, I ran each inflator through the high-pressure gauntlet. This test validated that each pump has the muscle to deliver high pressures. While it's unlikely that you'll need to put more than 100 psi into a car tire or pool raft, there are some bicycle tires and heavy-duty pickup truck tires that could require a healthy dose of air pressure. This test involved using each inflator to raise the pressure in a five-gallon air canister from 40 to 80 psi. Test Equipment: I tested these jump starters using both lab equipment and vehicles. The AutoMeter BVA-34 Battery Tester allowed me to measure peak output and perform consistent, repeatable tests across the different units. I also hooked them up to my 2017 Jeep Wrangler (with the battery disconnected) and my 1986 Chevy M1028 CUCV with a very dead battery to experience how they work in the real world. The tire inflators were tested using the 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires on MotorTrend 's long-term 2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize pickup truck. A Smittybilt valve stem puller was used to deflate the tires, a calibrated Longacre Pro Digital Tire Pressure Gauge verified the accuracy of the built-in gauges, and a Harbor Freight five-gallon air tank was used to test inflators up to 80 psi. Why Trust Us The MotorTrend staff has lifetimesof experience working in and around cars in the garage, at the track, and on every bit of road and trail in between. If we're recommending a product, we take that responsibility seriously—our team picks the best tools for the job, and we take pride in doing the dirty work so you don't have to. We shopped for these jump starter/tire inflator combos and purchased them just like you would to make sure the products we tested are the same units you'll find at the store. You can trust us to bring you the whole story, from every product that started the test to the ones that survived to the finish line. Who Needs a Jump Starter With a Tire Inflator? A jump starter is an insurance policy and, when you need it, a huge time saver. Instead of summoning help from a tow service, you could be back on the road in no time at all if you keep a jump box in your vehicle. Buying a jump starter with an air compressor built in guarantees you'll get use out of the device, since everyone needs to regularly check and top up their tires. Having a good tire inflator in your garage or, even better, in your vehicle makes this routine task easy enough that you won't put it off. A portable pump can also be a godsend if you get a flat. When everything goes sideways, a reliable tire inflator along with some basic tools and know-how can spell the difference between stranded and a minor setback. And who knows, it might not even be you that needs the jump! The person blocking you into the driveway at the next holiday party might need a little boost or air in their tires, too. What to Consider Carry the most versatile and reliable tool that you can afford and store in your vehicle. If cost and storage space are no object, a larger jump starter will have the power for multiple jump starts and the grunt to fill several tires in a hurry. If you need peace of mind that you can recharge and stow in a small space, consider one of the more compact jump starter/inflator combos. FAQ What are signs of a dead car battery? Turning the key and hearing that dreaded clicking sound—instead of your engine starting—is the telltale sign of a dead battery. Other things to watch out for include slow cranking when you attempt to start the vehicle, dim headlights or instrument panel displays, or even the check engine light illuminated on the dash. What does peak amps mean? The peak amperage touted for many portable jump starters can be confusing and misleading because there isn't a universal method for measuring this output. Companies will often inflate this number for marketing purposes. Instead of peak amps, look for 'cranking amps,' which indicates the amperage a device can deliver at 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 seconds while maintaining 7.2 volts. Can I recharge a dead car battery? Depending on how severely discharged your battery is, yes. Leaving an interior light on might deplete the battery such that it is hard to start, as will parasitic draw within your vehicle's electrical system, and other complications. Once jump started, a depleted battery can be replenished with the vehicle's alternator as the car runs. You can also attach a battery charger to the battery, but it could take hours before you'll be able to start your vehicle again. Visiting your local auto parts store and having a technician test your battery can give you an idea of your battery's health and whether it needs to be replaced. How often should I replace my battery? Factors like your climate, the type of vehicle, and how the vehicle is used can all affect the lifespan of a battery. Some vehicle owners experience battery problems one or two years into the life of the battery while others might go a decade without issue. On average, you can expect to replace a battery every three to six years, but getting your battery tested can give better insight into the health of your specific battery. How often should I check my tire pressure? At a minimum, you should check your tire pressure monthly. With a tire pressure gauge in your glove box, you can even do this while fueling up. On newer and more expensive vehicles, you might find tire pressure readouts in the instrument cluster or infotainment menus. Don't wait for a light on the dash to top up your tires, though. Many of those systems don't trigger until the tire is 25 percent below (or above) the recommended inflation pressure. You want to catch an improperly inflated tire long before it reaches that point. What pressure do I set my tires to? The answer is usually within an arm's reach of the driver. Open the driver's door, and you should find a sticker on the doorjamb. Some German cars also have a tire pressure sticker on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If in doubt, your owner's manual should have more detailed information. What's the difference between hot and cold tire pressure? Tire pressure increases as the air inside the tire heats up. This can happen due to changing weather or simply driving the vehicle down the road. A tire that's set to the right pressure in a cool garage in the morning could reach excessive pressures if driven through the sweltering heat in the middle of the day. Conversely, if your road trip takes you from the warm garage to the subzero ski slope parking lot, you could notice a drop in your tire pressure. The recommended pressure on the door jamb is meant to be set with the tires cold, which means waiting until the car has been parked for at least three hours. Affiliate Disclosure Our gear reviews often include links to reputable retailers where you can purchase a product. We make every effort to direct you to the best deals. If you purchase a product through a link in our stories, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this doesn't influence our coverage. Some of our reviews include products on which we earn no commission. We know that recommending the best gear at the best price is the only way to earn your trust, and earning that trust is ultimately what's best for MotorTrend.
