Is there anything SM could offer to get you to switch from EREV to BEV?

[Cranky Canuck]

I think knowing your neighbors is common but the idea/nostalgia of interacting from your front porch is vey minimal any more. People pull in garage when they get home and rarely come out in that sense. Look how many people put up fences and send dogs and kids out to play so they don’t have to interact. It’s a strange phenomenon at least in the north. In south it’s a bit more common due to warm year round weather but still not like it was in the 40’s to 50’s which is what people dream of today

I dunno, what you're describing has never been my experience here. Maybe it is in some places but in the neighbourhoods I grew up in and currently live in, and the ones I've visited throughout my life kids are often playing outside with neighbour kids and neighbours are often standing around on the street or lawn chatting...mostly in the summer though. In the winter we hibernate more for sure! lol

 

[J Alynn]

Genuinely curious. When and where do you sleep?

It may well be that the Harvester is the right choice for you, and since Scout is making both powertrain options, you will be covered either way.

What I, and others are trying to understand is that from the perspective of someone who owns and has experience with a BEV living and driving in a rural area, it seems like your situation would actually work well with a BEV as long as you are able to install a home L2 charger. But again, luckily Scout is making both options so if the Harvester really is the right option for you, you will have that available. I just wonder if you were to rent an EV with similar range to what Scout has said their BEV variant will have (350 miles) and try it out for a few days or a week or so and see if it matches your expectation. You might be surprised.

This is well stated and a fair question. I agree that I don’t think people are trying to force the BEV down your throat but I think it is genuine curiosity as a means to “help” educate that experience shows your situation may very well perfect for BEV. I think those of us who are BEV fans don’t want to see hesitation or lack of experience with BEVs force you into thinking the harvester is the correct decision. These folks have researched and realize 80% (arbitrary-I’m guessing) owners would be very successful using a BEV and these questions are intended to save you the added cost of the harvester, the added maintenance and long term cost savings. It isn’t the cult push to drink the KoolAid but rather trying to understand your situation and save you all those added costs, even if a charger is needed

 

[J Alynn]

I dunno, what you're describing has never been my experience here. Maybe it is in some places but in the neighbourhoods I grew up in and currently live in, and the ones I've visited throughout my life kids are often playing outside with neighbour kids and neighbours are often standing around on the street or lawn chatting...mostly in the summer though. In the winter we hibernate more for sure! lol

That’s how it was when I grew up. Again. I think it is strictly the porch scenario in relationship to 40’s lifestyle in communities

 

[THil08]

You must be one of those lovely kind Canadians i love and respect. I grew up in New England were " bigger fences make better neighbors " I have lived in my house for 22 years I don't even know the names of some of my neighbors.

Yup! "Fences make great neighbors". Is the way in NJ.

 

[Scoutsie]

@Scoutsie Appreciate that, tone definitely gets lost online. Different realities, same truck. What part of Boston? I grew up in Eastie around the same time and lived in the North End for a bit when I got older.

I grew up (and still live in) Roslindale, right on the cusp of West Roxbury. I did not fit in. I lived in Somerville and then in Brockton for a bit and came back here when my marriage imploded. I never escaped from the Commonwealth and don’t know if I ever will.

 

[R1TVT]

This is an interesting thread.

For the record, I am all for people buying whatever the hell they want in the spirit of seeing Scout succeed, and in the spirit of helping to bridge the gap for a more traditionally "ICE-oriented" truck & SUV ownership base to consider an EV. I have no agenda to "flip" Firemedic or anyone else away from buying any Scout.

I would ENCOURAGE the intended purchase of the EREV Harvester, if that is what fits, makes someone most comfortable, and fits their criteria well - even with the firm belief that the pure BEV Scout 100% represents the future of mobility in this country. We just aren't there yet (for many reasons that could be an entirely separate thread). It doesn't take more than a trip across the border to see how quickly the US is lagging in the auto industry with the big 3 here, but we will eventually catch back up - especially with new entrants like Rivian and Scout.

All of that said, the origins of this thread (I think) were to better understand the use-cases and mindsets of those people that might be on the fence about the EREV, and thinking about pros & cons (and then considering the BEV).

What is most interesting to me in this discussion is that my use case is NOT all that dissimilar from Firemedic's use case as described - it includes a lot of cold-weather driving in the north country during winter, and something very similar to Firemedic's erratic driving in the spring and summer (but for lacrosse, not hockey). Excluding play in FLA, TX and NC, my boys might play lacrosse in up to 9 different states each year (MA, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE & MD). I am driving all over hell since flying is often only slightly faster than driving in some cases (once you account for checking bags with lacrosse gear, renting / parking cars, airport security, etc.). It's often much easier just to shove all the shite into the bed of the truck and drive. I have just become very accustomed to it (and to the additional planning that comes along with it).

Moral of the story for me - even if you might have a similar-sounding use case or requirement set, that doesn't necessarily determine which version you will buy. Living in the Northeast (and traveling throughout the area and the mid-Atlantic) has been relatively drama-free for me, but it does take more time and planning in a BEV. But I'll take that in exchange for driving my R1T (or a future pure BEV Scout). The performance and experience are just that much better. I actually go out of my way to avoid taking the ICE SUV parked in my driveway.

 

[LastDayScout]

Probably goes a long way towards explaining why your country is so divided.

I grew up in this city but have lived all over the world. My current experience is similar to that of when I was a kid, neighbours knew and helped each other. We'd literally borrow milk or sugar from our neighbours all the time! (And they from us as well of course.) The adults of the neighbourhood and especially the street were all at least familiar with all the kids and it's the same now here with my kids and neighbours.

We're stronger together than apart. Communities are important and I'm glad I live in a country where strangers are friendly to each other and neighbours know each other. I can't imagine living somewhere where I don't know the people who live around me. And I'm not from a small town, I'm from a large city.

That shit is over down here in the USA.

 

[LastDayScout]

@Scoutsie Appreciate that, tone definitely gets lost online. Different realities, same truck. What part of Boston? I grew up in Eastie around the same time and lived in the North End for a bit when I got older.

This question will tell me everything I need to know about you. Modern or Mikes?

 

[LastDayScout]

I think knowing your neighbors is common but the idea/nostalgia of interacting from your front porch is vey minimal any more. People pull in garage when they get home and rarely come out in that sense. Look how many people put up fences and send dogs and kids out to play so they don’t have to interact. It’s a strange phenomenon at least in the north. In south it’s a bit more common due to warm year round weather but still not like it was in the 40’s to 50’s which is what people dream of today

Nah. The South is not what it used to be and people are not as friendly and welcoming as they once were. That’s all Norman Rockwell America. I find that the 80/20 rule applies. 80% assholes, 20% tolerable.

 

[LastDayScout]

This is an interesting thread.

For the record, I am all for people buying whatever the hell they want in the spirit of seeing Scout succeed, and in the spirit of helping to bridge the gap for a more traditionally "ICE-oriented" truck & SUV ownership base to consider an EV. I have no agenda to "flip" Firemedic or anyone else away from buying any Scout.

I would ENCOURAGE the intended purchase of the EREV Harvester, if that is what fits, makes someone most comfortable, and fits their criteria well - even with the firm belief that the pure BEV Scout 100% represents the future of mobility in this country. We just aren't there yet (for many reasons that could be an entirely separate thread). It doesn't take more than a trip across the border to see how quickly the US is lagging in the auto industry with the big 3 here, but we will eventually catch back up - especially with new entrants like Rivian and Scout.

All of that said, the origins of this thread (I think) were to better understand the use-cases and mindsets of those people that might be on the fence about the EREV, and thinking about pros & cons (and then considering the BEV).

What is most interesting to me in this discussion is that my use case is NOT all that dissimilar from Firemedic's use case as described - it includes a lot of cold-weather driving in the north country during winter, and something very similar to Firemedic's erratic driving in the spring and summer (but for lacrosse, not hockey). Excluding play in FLA, TX and NC, my boys might play lacrosse in up to 9 different states each year (MA, VT, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE & MD). I am driving all over hell since flying is often only slightly faster than driving in some cases (once you account for checking bags with lacrosse gear, renting / parking cars, airport security, etc.). It's often much easier just to shove all the shite into the bed of the truck and drive. I have just become very accustomed to it (and to the additional planning that comes along with it).

Moral of the story for me - even if you might have a similar-sounding use case or requirement set, that doesn't necessarily determine which version you will buy. Living in the Northeast (and traveling throughout the area and the mid-Atlantic) has been relatively drama-free for me, but it does take more time and planning in a BEV. But I'll take that in exchange for driving my R1T (or a future pure BEV Scout). The performance and experience are just that much better. I actually go out of my way to avoid taking the ICE SUV parked in my driveway.

Agreed. I hope I didn’t come off as though I’m questioning our colleague’s EREV decision. Just curious about the use case and psychology. It’s a fascinating subject and extremely valuable to understand each other as well as for Scout to glean information.

 

[R1TVT]

That shit is over down here in the USA.

Not in my neighborhood!

We even pass down all the kids clothing, sweats, sports gear and do a red-neck ski swap!

 

[speedrye]

Nah. The South is not what it used to be and people are not as friendly and welcoming as they once were. That’s all Norman Rockwell America. I find that the 80/20 rule applies. 80% assholes, 20% tolerable.

Definitely applies to me, 80% a-hole, 20% tolerable! Really though, I'm pretty antisocial and find overly friendly neighbors off-putting, but we've got a lot of really good neighbors nonetheless. There are only three houses on my street and we're all the same way, valuing our privacy, but we all watch out for one another's property as well.

More pertinent to this thread, as I've been giving more thought to my choice of EREV over BEV: Range anxiety really plays into it minimally. My Toyota doesn't get 200 miles before the gas light is on, and when I need to go farther, I work around it, especially when gas stations aren't nearby. I'd do the same with a BEV, no big deal. Ultimately, my decision is based on the appeal of the dual-fuel nature of the EREV and seeing growing trends of electricity and gas shortages/disruptions. With either option, I'll want some solar panels as a backup fuel source.

 

[Cranky Canuck]

Definitely applies to me, 80% a-hole, 20% tolerable! Really though, I'm pretty antisocial and find overly friendly neighbors off-putting, but we've got a lot of really good neighbors nonetheless. There are only three houses on my street and we're all the same way, valuing our privacy, but we all watch out for one another's property as well.

More pertinent to this thread, as I've been giving more thought to my choice of EREV over BEV: Range anxiety really plays into it minimally. My Toyota doesn't get 200 miles before the gas light is on, and when I need to go farther, I work around it, especially when gas stations aren't nearby. I'd do the same with a BEV, no big deal. Ultimately, my decision is based on the appeal of the dual-fuel nature of the EREV and seeing growing trends of electricity and gas shortages/disruptions. With either option, I'll want some solar panels as a backup fuel source.

I should point out that in a blackout gas stations don't work either.

 

[Scoutsie]

This question will tell me everything I need to know about you. Modern or Mikes?

Only monsters answer Mike’s.

 

[speedrye]

I should point out that in a blackout gas stations don't work either.

I have the technology to make them work.
(Admittedly not legally, but if that's where the world is...)

 

[LastDayScout]

Not in my neighborhood!

We even pass down all the kids clothing, sweats, sports gear and do a red-neck ski swap!

Indeed, ironically as it may seem I fide people friendlier in New England than I do in South Carolina.

 

[speedrye]

Indeed, ironically as it may seem I find people friendlier in New England than I do in South Carolina.

I've found the rednecks** to be the most friendly typically. Both in the south and the north! In my experience, there are more rednecks/good ol' boys in Maine and North/West NY than there are in NC.

**Listen to Hank Williams Jr. A Country Boy Can Survive for a more detailed definition.

 

[Scoutsie]

People are free to do whatever they want for sure. I can’t make anyone do anything they don’t want to do, but it doesn’t mean that I won’t try to sell someone on something that I think is a good idea or a better idea than what I’m hearing if it’s something I feel strongly enough about. Of late, I feel pretty strongly about electric cars for a number of reasons. Environmental impact is the biggest one for me personally, but the economics and practicality is another. They’re a smarter, cleaner buy. They’re going to be better for everyone’s wallet in the long run. I liked not having cancer more than I liked having cancer, too. I had easy, treatable stage 0 breast cancer and it still means that I have a lot of shitty problems for the rest of my life to deal with, including the whole “enjoy your post-divorced life with one real breast!” thing, so you know, I feel like I have some skin in the game to encourage people to maybe want a better and cleaner world where people don’t have weird, jagged, melting reproductive organs. I get that nobody likes to be around a new vegetarian (metaphorically but also literally) and it helps nobody to get all up ins about WELL, YOU’RE JUST KILLING BABY SEALS, YOU KNOW as you cut into your steak that’s already dead and paid for. It helps nobody. It’s obnoxious and it doesn’t win hearts and minds.

I figure the worst you can ever do is say your piece and the worst anyone can do is say “nope, not interested.” After that, you take the hint and move along. That’s pretty much all I can do.

 

[R1TVT]

Agreed. I often wonder if there would have been more EV adoption without a "mandate" (even though there was no mandate). Sometimes even just talking about something that hypothetically could have happened 10 years from now appears to really "turn-off" a lot of Americans.

 

[LastDayScout]

I've found the rednecks** to be the most friendly typically. Both in the south and the north! In my experience, there are more rednecks/good ol' boys in Maine and North/West NY than there are in NC.

**Listen to Hank Williams Jr. A Country Boy Can Survive for a more detailed definition.

I’m a native South Carolinian. I can and have done all things in that song minus Beechnut.