2022 Fering Pioneer electric off-roader claims 7000km driving range

A new electric adventure vehicle with a biodiesel-powered range-extender will reportedly enter production in early 2022, and is said to be capable of going 7000km in one blast.

The 2022 Fering Pioneer is an off-road dual-cab ute, powered by an electric motor on each axle, and with an fuel-free driving range of 80km thanks to a 20kWh battery pack.

It’s the Pioneer’s 0.8-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel range-extender engine – taken from a Smart car – which provides the claimed 7000km of driving range, when coupled with long-distance fuel tanks.

The range-extender is also biodiesel compatible – allowing the engine to run on fuel derived from sustainable sources such as vegetable oils, non-edible plant oils, or even algae.

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Fering says even with the discharged batteries, the Pioneer will average around 5.6L/100km – meaning the four-wheel-drive would need a fuel tank capacity of nearly 400 litres to match its claim of 7000km driving range. For perspective, the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series uses twin fuel tanks for a maximum capacity of 138 litres.

If true, the vehicle could theoretically complete a lap of Australia with only one top-up.

If the extreme driving range isn’t required, owners can swap the long-distance petrol tanks for water storage.

The range-extender can also be swapped out for a hydrogen fuel-cell or ethanol-powered engine, depending on where in the world the vehicle is needed.

The Fering Pioneer is the brainchild of Ben Scott-Geddes, an engineer who worked on the McLaren F1 under Gordon Murray – and who was more recently a director at Ferrari. Scott-Geddes wanted to offer a capable off-road vehicle for adventurers, explorers, and emergency services.

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Despite the Pioneer’s Humvee-like appearance, the ute is around the same size as a Ford Transit commercial van. However, the vehicle has a ground clearance of 800mm and a wading depth of 1400mm – roughly double that of most four-wheel-drives.

Using an aluminium spaceframe with composite elements, and an exterior made from tough fabrics, weight has been kept to 1500kg – not much more than a small hatchback – while Fering claims the vehicle matches its weight with a payload capacity of 1500kg.

Though the company hasn't addressed its current roadworthiness, it doesn't appear as if the vehicle is designed for on-road use – but could find favour with search and rescue organisations and militaries.

The 2022 Fering Pioneer is expected to go into production in the first half of next year, with prices starting from roughly £150,000 (AU$283,500).