Convert to full EV later from harvester

[Xlargetophat]

Do you think we if we choose Harvester now, we'll be able to convert to full EV battery 5-10 years later and get rid of the generator? Battery technology could change

 

[E90400K]

No.

 

[JesseS]

No.

Why so positive? In ten years solid state batteries with 5 minute charging and 600+ miles range will be the norm. BYD already has one, I will admit that US Tech is behind BYD by a few years but we will catch up at some point. Removing the Harvester and replacing the battery with a SS one would require only a software update, completely doable if they want.

 

[PMurphy]

Interesting question. As production gets closer I would like to know IF any provisions for “semi simple” battery replacement have been designed into the vehicles. May not need to remove harvester hardware, just use it less with updated battery tech and software. Things are changing so quickly it’s hard to guess what will be possible. HOPEFULLY future Scout lovers will be taking our worn out Gen 2 vehicles and restoring/resto-modding them like current owners are doing with Gen 1 Scouts?!

 

[Xlargetophat]

I'm interested in the Harvester because I live where it gets -20°F. But recently discovered sodium batteries do fine in cold weather. So, I'm thinking the harvester might not be as valuable to me in 10 years.

 

[dleepnw]

Do you think we if we choose Harvester now, we'll be able to convert to full EV battery 5-10 years later and get rid of the generator? Battery technology could change

Doubt it. Unless you want to do some after market swap. That's like saying you want to swap from v6 to v8 later. Sure. you can do it if you really want but the manufacturer aint doing it. And likely you'll be voiding the warranty.

Even if battery tech advanced greatly so that you could get more range in the same size battery/housing and you left the ICE engine in and never turned it on, I doubt there's a market in the US for that type of swapability.

 

[Xlargetophat]

I'm not 100% a v6 to v8 analogy works in this case.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Do you think we if we choose Harvester now, we'll be able to convert to full EV battery 5-10 years later and get rid of the generator? Battery technology could change

You may be able to get a battery upgrade, it depends on the direction Scout takes. The generator, fuel tank, and associated components will be integrated into the vehicle.

 

[Xlargetophat]

Is that for certain. It seems like we should be able to remove the Harvester and fuel tank. Then drop a bigger battery in it someday

 

[Mr._Bill]

Is that for certain. It seems like we should be able to remove the Harvester and fuel tank. Then drop a bigger battery in it someday

Nothings for certain, until they have a production model and the assembly line setup to run.

 

[grillmarks]

Do you think we if we choose Harvester now, we'll be able to convert to full EV battery 5-10 years later and get rid of the generator? Battery technology could change

Solid state batteries have different weight and construction which makes a retrofit difficult and could impact the vehicle’s handling. Consequently, solving those problems would be expensive for the end consumer and I really don’t see how a retrofit would make any sense.

 

[smboogie]

While I agree the battery technology is getting better and more advanced the real concern should be around infrastructure. Power generation & distribution is a real challenge and the one that is going to dictate EV growth.
Where I live in the Bay Area it's relatively easy to charge, though lines are a real issue, in most other areas it's a bigger challenge and one where I see hybrids being the short term solution.

 

[The Weatherman]

Sure. Just stop fueling the engine and plug in to charge the battery when needed. There you go, you’re fully converted to EV.

 

[Xlargetophat]

150 mile range... Probably less.. while others in 10 years might have 400+ range and cold weather resilient. The harvester could be dead weight you don't want. And the decision today to engineer it to be removable would increase sales.. why buy a brick

 

[JesseS]

150 mile range... Probably less.. while others in 10 years might have 400+ range and cold weather resilient. The harvester could be dead weight you don't want. And the decision today to engineer it to be removable would increase sales.. why buy a brick

I agree, BYD already has a model with 600+ miles range and 5 minute charging, in 10 years there will be 1000 mile range with solid state batteries and 5-10 minute charging. The tech is moving at warp speed with super computers and AI designing the next generation before we can field the current one.