VW Is Reviving Scout to Be Mostly Hybrids Rather Than EVs

Volkswagen AG is reviving its rugged Scout line of SUVs and pickup trucks — originally conceived as pure electric vehicles — as a brand of primarily gasoline-electric hybrids.

More than eight out of 10 consumers who put down a $100 reservation on a Scout have selected plug-in hybrid versions over EVs, according to the brand’s top executive. As EV demand waned in the US last year, Scout added extended-range electric versions, or EREVs, which feature a gas-fueled internal combustion engine that automatically recharges the battery as the vehicle rolls down the road.