Scout Motors EVs will have satellite connectivity

Volkswagen offshoot Scout Motors is getting a jump-start on CES 2025 next week, with some good news for people who plan to take the company’s EVs way, way outdoors: The forthcoming Traveler SUV and Terra pickup will have a built-in satellite connection.

Scout Motors isn’t saying where it’s sourcing the satellite linkup hardware from, or who the service provider will be. All it’s saying at the moment is that the vehicles will be “pre-wired from the factory” and that the hotspot is “intended to have broad reach to help drivers and passengers stay connected in and around their vehicle.”

The company only just unveiled its first two vehicles in October, and they’re not due out until 2027, so it’s not terribly surprising that Scout Motors isn’t ready to spill all the beans yet. Perhaps we can glean a few clues when we see the vehicles in person at next week’s show, where Scout Motors also plans to show off its “Community UX” user interface. This — as we learned at TechCrunch Disrupt — will be built on software developed by Rivian’s joint venture with Volkswagen.