Concern about the complexity and cost of repairs/maintenance for EREV

[dleepnw]

One of my concerns with the EREV versions of the Terra/Traveler is the complexity of the system and obviously the cost of maintenance and repair. You'll have most of the components of an EV and an ICE vehicle all in one and they need to interact with each other. Id assume its still less parts than a traditional ICE vehicle overall but still complex. Plus, EREVs are still fairly new with only a handful of models produced. Plus a brand new manufacturer, new model, offroad capable.

It may just be something that comes with the territory but once the details are revealed, going to have to take a close look before I take the plunge.

What do y'all think?

 

[maynard]

One of my concerns with the EREV versions of the Terra/Traveler is the complexity of the system and obviously the cost of maintenance and repair. You'll have most of the components of an EV and an ICE vehicle all in one and they need to interact with each other. Id assume its still less parts than a traditional ICE vehicle overall but still complex. Plus, EREVs are still fairly new with only a handful of models produced. Plus a brand new manufacturer, new model, offroad capable.

It may just be something that comes with the territory but once the details are revealed, going to have to take a close look before I take the plunge.

What do y'all think?

I'm going with more complex than a traditional ICE...

 

[dreamweaver]

One of my concerns with the EREV versions of the Terra/Traveler is the complexity of the system and obviously the cost of maintenance and repair. You'll have most of the components of an EV and an ICE vehicle all in one and they need to interact with each other. Id assume its still less parts than a traditional ICE vehicle overall but still complex. Plus, EREVs are still fairly new with only a handful of models produced. Plus a brand new manufacturer, new model, offroad capable.

It may just be something that comes with the territory but once the details are revealed, going to have to take a close look before I take the plunge.

What do y'all think?

I think it will be more like what R1TVT had to say on this topic. Take a look.

Post in thread 'Is there anything SM could offer to get you to switch from EREV to BEV?'

Nov 6, 2025

Here are a few themes I'm picking up from EREV reservations holders (in this thread and across the site):

1. Price is an important driver - as well as "value"
2. Production Specs for comparison between EREV & BEV may sway reservation holders (either way) if pricing is too high
3. Maintenance is a BIG factor in the EREV equation

From a maintenance perspective, Scout would greatly benefit by making an oil & filter change super easy & intuitive for any owner, and allow for easy access to the Harvester (without any specialized tools or tech skills). Scout could leverage a "maintenance mode"...

• R1TVT

• 
• 

 

[speedrye]

Just put a hatch in the floor under the carpet and I'll be happy with top and bottom access. Oh, and I really hope we don't have German engineers involved in this project. Also, Scout would be wise to throw some Easter Eggs in the area too. By that I mean extra 10mm sockets, randomly stashed here and there throughout the vehicle.

 

[cyure]

I think it will be more like what R1TVT had to say on this topic. Take a look.

Post in thread 'Is there anything SM could offer to get you to switch from EREV to BEV?'

Nov 6, 2025

Here are a few themes I'm picking up from EREV reservations holders (in this thread and across the site):

1. Price is an important driver - as well as "value"
2. Production Specs for comparison between EREV & BEV may sway reservation holders (either way) if pricing is too high
3. Maintenance is a BIG factor in the EREV equation

From a maintenance perspective, Scout would greatly benefit by making an oil & filter change super easy & intuitive for any owner, and allow for easy access to the Harvester (without any specialized tools or tech skills). Scout could leverage a "maintenance mode"...

• R1TVT

• 
• 

All these reasons are why I switched to a BEV. I know it won’t work for everyone and this is exactly why they have the EREV but I’m not interested in dealing with the maintenance.

 

[chucchinchilla]

Big picture: You'll be maintaining either a Volkswagen EA211 or an EA888 engine and all that comes with it. That's the downside. For upsides there's actually two...

1. The engine will see very light and controlled use meaning a 100K mile Scout might have an engine with the equivalent of I dunno, 30K miles on it or something.
2. If you live in California or a CARB state like Washington, a Scout EREV will be classified as a TZEV (Transitional Zero Emissions Vehicle) which means Scout will have to offer a very beefy warranty along with it. Will look like this..
   1. 15 year / 150,000 mile Emissions Warranty which covers all emissions related components and the gas engine is classified as an emissions component so it's covered! Same thing happened to the BMW i3 REX btw.
   2. 10 year / 150,000 mile battery and electric drive train warranty

Need to have those details confirmed by Scout though.

 

[dreamweaver]

Just put a hatch in the floor under the carpet and I'll be happy with top and bottom access. Oh, and I really hope we don't have German engineers involved in this project. Also, Scout would be wise to throw some Easter Eggs in the area too. By that I mean extra 10mm sockets, randomly stashed here and there throughout the vehicle.

View attachment 12231

Is that a ATV?

 

[speedrye]

Is that a ATV?

Polaris Xpedition ADV Ultimate. I couldn't find many other pictures with an engine access hatch.

 

[dreamweaver]

Polaris Xpedition ADV Ultimate. I couldn't find many other pictures with an engine access hatch.

Great shot. Help EREV enthusiasts think about ease of access to the ICE.

 

[Chaz26]

Big picture: You'll be maintaining either a Volkswagen EA211 or an EA888 engine and all that comes with it. That's the downside. For upsides there's actually two...

1. The engine will see very light and controlled use meaning a 100K mile Scout might have an engine with the equivalent of I dunno, 30K miles on it or something.
2. If you live in California or a CARB state like Washington, a Scout EREV will be classified as a TZEV (Transitional Zero Emissions Vehicle) which means Scout will have to offer a very beefy warranty along with it. Will look like this..
   1. 15 year / 150,000 mile Emissions Warranty which covers all emissions related components and the gas engine is classified as an emissions component so it's covered! Same thing happened to the BMW i3 REX btw.
   2. 10 year / 150,000 mile battery and electric drive train warranty

Need to have those details confirmed by Scout though.

That could also be a difference maker between EV only and EREV that I hadn't thought of. I wonder what the warranty will look like between the two. I assume they'll have the same battery warranty length/miles but I guess we'll see, and then what the warranty is like on the Harvester components in comparison to the battery warranty.

 

[chucchinchilla]

That could also be a difference maker between EV only and EREV that I hadn't thought of. I wonder what the warranty will look like between the two. I assume they'll have the same battery warranty length/miles but I guess we'll see, and then what the warranty is like on the Harvester components in comparison to the battery warranty.

I had to run this through ChatGPT because there's a lot to unpack and it's actually game changing. First this quote "if the Scout Harvester EREV is sold as a new, road-legal passenger vehicle in any CARB state (CA, WA, OR, NY, etc.), Scout essentially has no option but to certify it as a TZEV (or equivalent CARB PHEV category) and provide the full CARB-mandated TZEV warranty package."

Since they'll have to offer it, let's compare...

BEV

• Battery: 8 yr / 100k (national minimum)
• Motor / everything else: 4 yr / 50k (let's assume standard VW warranty terms)

EREV/TZEV (Harvester)

• 10 yr / 150k bucket (advanced tech / hybrid system):
  
  • Traction battery
  • Electric motor(s)
  • Inverter / power electronics
  • DC-DC converter
  • On-board charger (if tied to emissions certification)
  • Hybrid transaxle / e-drive bits that are integral to meeting emissions
• 15 yr / 150k bucket (emissions-related components):
  
  • Range-extender ICE (long block + key ancillaries)
  • Fuel system (pump, tank, EVAP, lines, etc.)
  • Catalysts, O2 sensors, other emissions controls
  • Certain ECUs / OBD components that monitor or control emissions

@Jamie@ScoutMotors is this accurate? That's a huge gap in coverage between the two and enough to make buying a Harvester in a CARB state the de facto choice given the benefits.

 

[J Alynn]

Just put a hatch in the floor under the carpet and I'll be happy with top and bottom access. Oh, and I really hope we don't have German engineers involved in this project. Also, Scout would be wise to throw some Easter Eggs in the area too. By that I mean extra 10mm sockets, randomly stashed here and there throughout the vehicle.

View attachment 12231

What’s wrong with German engineers?

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

A good warranty only gets you so far.

Complexity means higher probability of failure, which means more time in the shop and not on the road.
This is one of the reasons I prefer the far less complex BEV to any fossil fuel vehicle.

 

[6-ScoutFamily]

I'm going with more complex than a traditional ICE...

I don’t see how. There is absolutely no drive train encumbering the generator.

 

[dreamweaver]

I don’t see how. There is absolutely no drive train encumbering the generator.

I think the only thing that could make it “complex” is how access is given for servicing.

 

[THil08]

I had to run this through ChatGPT because there's a lot to unpack and it's actually game changing. First this quote "if the Scout Harvester EREV is sold as a new, road-legal passenger vehicle in any CARB state (CA, WA, OR, NY, etc.), Scout essentially has no option but to certify it as a TZEV (or equivalent CARB PHEV category) and provide the full CARB-mandated TZEV warranty package."

Since they'll have to offer it, let's compare...

BEV

• Battery: 8 yr / 100k (national minimum)
• Motor / everything else: 4 yr / 50k (let's assume standard VW warranty terms)

EREV/TZEV (Harvester)

• 10 yr / 150k bucket (advanced tech / hybrid system):
  • Traction battery
  • Electric motor(s)
  • Inverter / power electronics
  • DC-DC converter
  • On-board charger (if tied to emissions certification)
  • Hybrid transaxle / e-drive bits that are integral to meeting emissions
• 15 yr / 150k bucket (emissions-related components):
  • Range-extender ICE (long block + key ancillaries)
  • Fuel system (pump, tank, EVAP, lines, etc.)
  • Catalysts, O2 sensors, other emissions controls
  • Certain ECUs / OBD components that monitor or control emissions

@Jamie@ScoutMotors is this accurate? That's a huge gap in coverage between the two and enough to make buying a Harvester in a CARB state the de facto choice given the benefits.

Yes! NJ is a CARB state! That just gave me even more confidence in getting my harvester,