Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV extends range to 900 km with generator engine

Leapmotor has followed up the all-electric B10 by unveiling the new B10 Hybrid EV at the Brussels Motor Show, adding a combustion engine that works as a generator and lifting total range to as much as 900 km.

After the C10 REEV, this becomes the brand’s second model in Europe to use this approach. It keeps the driving experience electric, while making long journeys feel less of a worry.

How the Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV range-extender system works

Range-extender EVs are, in engineering terms, series hybrids. Unlike parallel hybrids-where both the combustion engine and the electric motor can drive the wheels-a series hybrid such as the B10 Hybrid EV uses the combustion engine solely to produce electricity and top up the battery when required. The wheels are always driven by the electric motor.

Battery, engine and energy-management modes

In practice, the B10 Hybrid EV pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18.8 kWh battery. Once the battery is depleted-delivering up to 80 km of range-the petrol engine starts and operates exclusively as a 50 kW generator. From that point, the combined range can reach up to 900 km.

Energy use can be managed through several modes-EV+, EV, Fuel and Power+-each setting a different priority for zero-emissions driving. Output figures have not yet been confirmed, but they are expected to match the electric B10: 160 kW (218 hp) and 240 Nm.

As with the C10 REEV, Leapmotor’s latest addition does not have direct rivals offering the same kind of powertrain. While the electric B10 lines up against options such as the BYD Atto 3, the Renault Scenic or the Peugeot 3008, the closest alternatives to the B10 Hybrid EV are plug-in hybrids like the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Ford Kuga.

When will it arrive?

Orders for the Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV opened today in Europe across selected markets, although the company has not specified which ones. Final pricing for the Portuguese market has not been announced, but Leapmotor says in its statement that the price in those markets is 29 900 euros.