Leapmotor B03X hybrid under study, Australia could help make the case

Leapmotor is considering a hybrid version of its B03X small electric SUV, and Australia is among the markets that could help make the numbers work.

Speaking with media outlets including CarExpert at the international launch of the B03X in Spain, Leapmotor International commercial head for Enlarged Europe, Danilo Annese, was asked whether the electric vehicle's front-wheel drive platform could accommodate an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain.

Mr Annese said there was no technical reason to rule it out, but any investment would depend on whether demand across several markets was large enough to justify development.

He said some southern European countries were already pushing strongly for a hybrid B03X, while markets such as the Netherlands and Belgium remained focused on battery-electric vehicles.

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Demand from outside Europe could determine whether the project proceeds.

"If Brazil, if Australia, if Mexico will be on the projected size to justify investment, why not?" said Mr Annese.

After CarExpert pointed to the rapid growth of hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales in Australia, he said the company was prepared to examine the opportunity.

"It does not exclude that we will look into that and try to bring something on a decent timescale," he said.

The comments stop well short of confirming a production vehicle. Leapmotor has not approved a B03X hybrid for production, provided a development timetable, or committed to offering one in Australia.

There is also an important distinction around the proposed powertrain.

Mr Annese used the word hybrid broadly, although the question put to him referred specifically to a range-extender.

In Australia, Leapmotor markets the EREV versions of its small B10 and mid-size C10 SUVs as Hybrid EVs (and previously REEVs).

These are extended-range electric vehicles rather than conventional hybrids. Their petrol engines generate electricity, while an electric motor remains solely responsible for driving the wheels.