Range anxiety has long been one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption, and Leapmotor believes it has found the answer with the launch of the B10 Hybrid EV in Australia.
Rather than adding another conventional hybrid SUV to the market, the B10 Hybrid EV uses an electric-first architecture where the wheels are always driven by an electric motor. A 1.5-litre petrol engine acts only as a generator, producing electricity to recharge the battery when required.
The result is an SUV that delivers the smooth and quiet driving experience of an EV while offering up to 900km of combined driving range (WLTP).
Priced from $37,888 MSRP for the Style and $40,888 MSRP for the Design, the B10 Hybrid EV joins the battery electric B10 and gives Australian buyers another pathway into electrified driving.
For many fleet and private buyers, the key statistic is its 84km electric-only driving range from an 18.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. That distance is enough to cover the daily commute for many drivers without using any petrol, while eliminating concerns about finding a charger on longer trips.
The electric motor produces 160kW and 240Nm, delivering a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of just 0.9L/100km (WLTP).
The B10 Hybrid EV also offers practical charging flexibility with 6.6kW AC charging and DC fast charging up to 46kW, allowing the battery to recharge from 30 to 80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes under ideal conditions.
Inside, the vehicle shares the same technology-focused cabin as the fully electric B10, featuring a 14.6-inch touchscreen, digital cockpit, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected services, over-the-air software updates and a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems.
The entry-level Style includes a panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera, integrated dashcam and Leap Pilot Level 2 driver assistance technology. The Design grade adds heated and ventilated TechnoLeather seats, heated steering wheel, 12-speaker audio system, ambient lighting and a power tailgate.
For EV enthusiasts, the significance of the B10 Hybrid EV extends beyond its specification sheet. It represents the growing trend towards range extender electric vehicles (REEVs), where electric propulsion remains the primary driving experience while a compact engine provides electricity only when needed.
This architecture allows drivers to experience electric mobility every day while removing many of the practical concerns that continue to slow EV adoption in regional areas or for buyers without reliable charging access.
Leapmotor is also encouraging early adoption with a launch offer for the first 500 customers, including three years of complimentary capped price servicing, premium paint, a 7kW wallbox charger and a vehicle-to-load cable.
The B10 Hybrid EV is backed by an eight-year/160,000km high-voltage battery warranty, eight years of roadside assistance, eight years capped price servicing and a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty.
As the Australian market continues to diversify beyond traditional hybrids and battery electric vehicles, the arrival of electric-first range extender technology adds another option for buyers looking to reduce fuel use without changing the way they travel.
