EV news. Hybrid News. A Path Forward.

It’s already a hard sell with limited range and charging stations, and then they’re doing this. I’ve heard of dealers catching shit for it (on new vehicles, not used), but have seen no actual evidence of it.

We need more direct to consumer sales.

 

Oh its a total racket, even when demand wasn't outpacing supply. Look what happened to the Bronco and on Bring a Trailer. Theres an strong argument to be made that Tesla is going something right streamlining the vehicle purchase model.

Don't think comparing the F150 lighting to an F350 diesel is fair. Even setting capability and specs aside, a base model Lightning should be ~$40k MSRP by what Ford corporate initially advertised vs a ~$60k for a base F350. Cost per mile comparison would probably favor the Lightning though. And when you consider that 95% of all car trips are under 30 miles the case gets even stronger.

Yes, acknowledge this assumes readily available charging, but it will get there with time and even faster if we incentivize EVs the way we do ICE. No right minded EV proponent is going to say this can happen overnight, or that an EV is a 100% solution, for most people it should be a strong viable option in a few years time.

 

There needs to be an ice version.

 

I suggested the F350 because of that mark up, could buy the top of line $90’000 Platinum and still have a bunch left over for diesel.

If you want an apples to apples comparison, go gasser F150 to Lightning… don’t think I could burn that much fuel before I die with the money left over not buying that crazy marked up Lightning. Not mention getting 500-600 range. Hell, I don’t even have to piss yet stopping at 160…that sounds like a dismal road trip having to stop that much, not to mention how long it takes to recharge. F that!

 

There is, and they somehow have worse frames than a Toyota.

 

The Scout probably had 4 wheel drum brakes.

I'm not that interested in an electric version, maybe a new ice version. I'm skeptical if their will be an EV version. If their is an EV version, why can't the concept redering of the pick up be a regular cab?

 

Isn’t it odd that VW is bringing back the Scout name plate? They never did all that well when they were in production…and other than a few retro-grouches who really cares about Scouts?

Should electrify their existing Amarok and call it good. They even have a regular cab for ya. I have seen them in the flesh up from Mexico when I lived in AZ. Think they are better looking than the Tacoma.

 

Nothing wrong with VWs They don't have anything that appeals to me. The GolfR and Atlas are nice, I'm not into crossovers, and if they still build a basic no frills Golf that's cool.

The Scouts of yesterday are cool, but you could get a 2dr Bronco if you are looking for a new vehicle and want something close to a Scout. Why would anyone want a electric offroad oriented vehicle?

Where would VW sell this e Scout, an Audi dealership?

I'm not sure VW needs to sell the Amarock in the US, if it's a reworked Ranger. I wouldn't mind seeing more midsizes in the market place.

I still see a VW Routan on the road every once in a while and still wonder WTF, who brings these ideas to market.

Probably would make more sense to ev the Amarock instead of relaunching the Scout.

 

Yeah I dunno…seems odd to me VW picking up the nameplate. They don’t have the following as other old vehicles do such as the Bronco, Jeep Wagoneers, FJs do. The new Bronco looks more like a Scout to me than a Bronco…if people jonesin’ for a Scout, buy a Bronco and have some International Scout emblems 3D printed.

I like VWs, best looking vehicles out there to me, but we have owned late model VWs before, I know better than to ever buy another VW ever again.

 

I like the old Scout pick ups, but I don't think there is anybody showing up at International dealerships looking for an electric Scout. You would probably find more people there bitching about def systems, and trucks having to go through regen.

I saw an ETransit today, I guess the parking brake engages when it sits for too long, because the van couldn't get moving after the light turned green.

 

I like the old Scouts, couple friends had a few over the years. Not sure who the market will be…most younger people never heard of them. So if they’re going for a nostalgia angle…that market is fairly small. Doesn’t make sense to me, though I don’t understand why Musk/Tesla has such a cult like following either.

 

Looks like a Jetta front clip on a Ranger.

 

Always liked the subdued styling of VWs. Not much into the machismo look most trucks have gone to. Including the Tacoma. Bought it for the reliability not the looks.

 

I have liked VW styling too, owned many over the years but stopped after my 1988 Golf. Was a good car and put 200K on it before it got totalled in an accident, just didn't trust any modern ones would be reliable.

 

Love how they looked. Ex of mine had 90s something Jetta, that car was awful constantly had issues. Fixed it one last time and sold it at 60K miles. Aunt had new Beetle, trans went at 30K, mom had a cabriolet, same nothing but problems.

Even with all the bad luck I have seen with my family’s VWs, considered an AWD Sportwagen before I bought the Tacoma, since they have a fairly good warranty now. Little lift thinking I could make it work, end of the day the Taco is better for what I need, nice to bounce down dirt roads without having worry much about tearing it up like I would with wagon.

 

Traded in a 19 R for my current 18 JLR. Before that, had a Mk;, 6, and 7.5 GTI. Never had a single issue that wasn’t my own or a prior owner’s fault.

EV Scout would be dope. Always loved their design.

 

Trying to keep it on topic and EVs, stumbled upon this while looking at classic Scouts. Zero labs making a skateboard chassis to fit classic bodies.

That is pretty cool.

https://insideevs.com/news/458806/zero-labs-platform-electric-off-roader-4x4/

This was for sale near us a few years ago, was really tempted to buy it and turn it into camper/chase truck for dirt bikes. But I am exhausted of wrenching on stuff.

 

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-renewables-electric-grid/

The nation’s transmission network, plagued by outages and increasingly severe weather, needs a trillion-dollar overhaul to handle the Biden administration’s promised clean-energy revolution. No one is taking charge of that problem.

After decades of struggle, the U.S. clean-energy business is booming, with soaring electric-car sales and fast growth in wind and solar power. That’s raising hopes for the fight against climate change.

…. Paying for major grid upgrades would require these regulators to sign off on rate increases likely to spark strong opposition from consumers and local and state politicians, who are keen to keep utility bills low. In addition, utility companies often fight investments in transmission-network improvements because they can result in new connections to other regional grids that could allow rival companies to compete on their turf. With the advance of green energy, those inter-regional connections will become ever more essential to move power from far-flung solar and wind installations to population centers.



Link for full article. Great writeup.

 

I like my cheap hydro power and don't want to send it all to California....

 

Texas' grid is as bad as ever and PGE in California needs major work. The infrastructure bill just passed i believe is just 1 of many bills. There will be more bills introduced in years to come.