British “adventure vehicle” startup Fering Technologies has entered the second phase of its development program to create a pioneering electrified pickup designed to take on the toughest terrain while treading lightly on the planet. The Pioneer is 1500-kg (3300-lb) EV (electric vehicle) with fabric body parts and a 7000-km (4350-mi) extended range.

The truck is the brainchild of ex-Ferrari and McLaren engineer Ben Scott-Geddes, whose company is repurposing supercar and racing technology to create an off-road vehicle that is compact, lightweight, and unusually efficient. In 2019, he drew an expedition vehicle that was 2 m wide and 5 m long, with extreme travel gas suspension giving up to 700-mm (27.5-in) ground clearance having 44-in tires. As he mapped out an overland circumnavigation of the Earth covering over 56,000 km (34,800 mi) from Pole to Pole, one leg—from Canada to Russia over treacherous sea ice for a distance of more than 4000 km (2500-mi)—was particularly challenging.

With that challenge in mind, he set to work designing a vehicle that would enable the future end user to operate across the most remote and hostile terrain independent of expensive and complex resupplies. Helping Scott-Geddes bring the Pioneer to reality is a team including Program Director Kieran Singleton, Design Director David Seesing, Dan Primrose, Chris Wright, Brian Coombs, Mac McKenney, Investor/Director Chris Brady, Chairman Will Archer, and Business Developer Tom Archer.

Fering has completed the first phase of prototype testing and has now secured phase-two funding as investors have been won over by the business plan and impressive capabilities of the prototype demonstrated at test days. The company says that Pioneer Prototype 1 proved exceptionally capable after months of testing at UTAC’s Millbrook Proving Ground, mainly in the grueling off-road and military test areas.

“Driving over the obstacles showed the very good natural ability of the Pioneer in severe off-road conditions,” said Scott-Geddes. “It was able to traverse all the physical standard obstacles we tried without any issue, including those intended to challenge much larger and extreme military vehicles. The off-road capability is exceptional, proving our design philosophy of low overall weight, large diameter tires and long wheel travel works brilliantly.”

The funding will allow two further prototypes to be made to the specifications of the company’s first confirmed customers. To be announced at a later date, they intend to take advantage of the Pioneer’s off-grid and off-road capabilities in challenging environments. Prototype 1 is currently being stripped down to check, measure, and upgrade components, but it will be back out testing alongside its newer siblings.

Despite its imposing appearance, the Pioneer is no larger than a typical delivery van and is shorter than a Ford Mondeo Estate. The truck is 5526 mm (217.6 in) long and 2000 mm (78.7 in) wide, with a 1974-mm (77.7-in) height adjustable by +365/-135 mm (+14.4/-5.3 in) for a maximum ground clearance of 800 mm (31.5 in).

Key performance numbers include maximum gradient climb of 60%, 50-degree traverse angle, 0.5-m (1.6-ft) step climb, and 1.4-m (4.6-ft) wading depth. Top speed of 125 km/h (78 mph).

The Pioneer’s distinctive appearance is partly due to the use of fabric for many of its body panels. The special material is like that used in hiking boots and marine sails, making it light in weight, strong, and easy to repair.

“Using fabric instead of metal for the panels was always going to require some open-minded assessment from our customers, and I’m pleased to report that everyone who has seen it in action has been completely convinced,” said Scott-Geddes. “In fact, we are planning on expanding the use of the fabric to other parts of the vehicle, such as the inner wings, where we are sure it will have excellent noise insulation properties in addition to saving weight and complexity.”

The off-roader’s powertrain is designed to survive in extreme temperatures. A configuration example includes a battery pack that provides a zero-local-emissions, electric-only range of around 50 mi, with a range-extender generator to keep going to the end of a customer’s adventure. The battery uses LTO (lithium titanate oxide) cells for surviving extreme weather conditions.

The 800-cm³ three-cylinder range extender combustion engine, which is fueled by biodiesel and operated consistently at its most efficient level, generates power to run the electric motors and charge the battery. This means that the battery can cover peak demands for power, such as for hill climbing, using energy reserves that are then replenished while the vehicle is cruising, stationary, or braking.

Using advanced materials and techniques from the racing circuit and supercar worlds allows the Pioneer to set standards on strength and lightness. The dry curb mass of around 1500 kg is the same as a medium-sized hatchback.

This is made possible by using an aluminum spaceframe with composite elements. The Union Jack symbol molded into the tailgate not only signifies the truck’s British heritage but also the bars of the flag act as strengthening ribs to ensure rigidity in the panel.

The other exterior panels made of tough fabric can shrug off damage, are easily replaced, and have better insulation properties—for both noise and heat—than traditional metal or composite. They help the Pioneer to carry its own weight of 1500 kg in payload.

The combination of a lightweight and efficient powertrain results in impressive fuel economy. With the batteries discharged, the Pioneer is expected to deliver around 50 mpg—half the consumption of other 4x4s, and comparable to a diesel hatchback.

The efficiency also means the truck can live “off-grid” and survive expeditions to remote areas without refueling. With long-range tanks fitted, it will be capable of driving for the 7000-km max range without needing a fuel stop or recharging from the grid. If the extreme range isn’t needed, the tanks can be swapped for water on a mission.

Designed with adaptability in mind, the truck can be modified or upgraded to suit customer needs and intended purpose. It can be fitted with bigger batteries or different range extenders such as alcohol-fueled engines in Brazil or a fuel cell in Asia. The combination of a battery and generator also makes the Pioneer ideal for emergency service use, where electrically operated rescue equipment and lighting can be used in remote locations.

The adaptability means the Pioneer is not expected to have an “end of life” for disposal or recycling. It is easy to repair and upgrade, giving it an indefinite life span.

The Pioneer is scheduled for low-volume production in late 2023 or early 2024, followed by larger-scale batch production in 2025.