Industry-leading DCFC charge rate and battery warranty

[SpaceEVDriver]

Scout has the opportunity to learn from its predecessors in the EV space and to leave them behind with a vastly improved battery warranty and charge rate

The past two decades of EV battery performance has disproven the anti-EV nonsense and FUD about battery longevity and reliability. With the right thermal management, the batteries will easily outlast the rest of the vehicle.

Scout could beat the mandated minimum 8 year/100k mile battery warranty and warranty its batteries for 12 years / 150k miles with minimal risk. They could sell an extended warranty to 16 years/200k miles (I don't buy extended warranties, but I know some people do). Or even a lifetime/unlimited mile warranty (non-transferable).

At the same time, Scout could dominate the large battery charge rate. Mainly it would be done by improving the average charge rate. If Scout pushed its average charge rate up to ~200-250 kW (while on capable chargers like EA's 350 kW hyperchargers), they would leave the competition behind. The GMC, Ford, and Rivian charge rates are down in the 140 kW realm.

 

[strider]

Scout could beat the mandated minimum 8 year/100k mile battery warranty and warranty its batteries for 12 years / 150k miles with minimal risk. They could sell an extended warranty to 16 years/200k miles (I don't buy extended warranties, but I know some people do). Or even a lifetime/unlimited mile warranty (non-transferable).

At the same time, Scout could dominate the large battery charge rate. Mainly it would be done by improving the average charge rate. If Scout pushed its average charge rate up to ~200-250 kW (while on capable chargers like EA's 350 kW hyperchargers), they would leave the competition behind. The GMC, Ford, and Rivian charge rates are down in the 140 kW realm.

I think this is a bit aggressive for a new company. Scout will have to keep a mountain of cash in reserve to pay anticipated warranty claims. The longer the warranty period, the longer that cash is tied up. That cash would likely be better used to create new models to expand their market.

I realize I've been at this EV thing for 15 years now but I just yawn when manufacturers crow about incremental improvements in charge rate. In the real world we're talking about maybe 10 minutes of total savings and then only when on road trips. It's just not life changing IMO.

At this point, Scout just needs to be in the same ballpark as their competitors. The offering is differentiated enough to attract buyers. Let others push the envelope on battery tech and then incorporate the improvements as they are proven (and cheaper).