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.

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.

"I don't know how long."

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.

Leapmotor has not confirmed whether a petrol-assisted B03X would follow the same formula or use another type of hybrid system.

The company's current B03X material covers only battery-electric versions.

Australian Government approval documents show two front-wheel drive configurations have been approved locally. The entry version combines a 39.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery with a 130kW electric motor for 292km of claimed WLTP range.

A more powerful version uses a 53.0kWh battery and a 145kW motor, increasing claimed WLTP range to 382km. Both produce 200Nm of torque.

The larger-battery version can accept up to 133kW from a DC fast-charger, with Leapmotor claiming a 30 to 80 per cent charging time of 16 minutes.

Leapmotor Australia has yet to announce local pricing, equipment or an on-sale date for the B03X, although its appearance in approval documents confirms the company is preparing it for this market.

Australia's sales mix helps explain why the country is part of the hybrid discussion.

Australians bought 18,662 hybrids and 10,591 plug-in hybrids during August 2026. Combined, those petrol-assisted vehicle categories recorded 29,253 deliveries, more than the 27,028 battery-electric vehicle sales recorded in the equivalent propulsion-category data for the month.

That does not guarantee sufficient demand for a small range-extender SUV, but it shows Australian buyers remain receptive to electrified vehicles that retain a petrol engine.

While Leapmotor's B10 and C10 remain the only EREVs currently on sale in Australia, this week Chinese newcomer Forthing was launched with a small range-extender SUV, and Ford confirmed it will launch the Bronco New Energy here next year with an EREV (not EV) powertrain and the Bronco Basecamp model name.

A hybrid B03X would become Leapmotor's smallest petrol-assisted model, positioned below the B10 and C10 Hybrid EVs already sold here.

For now, only battery-electric versions have been approved. The hybrid remains a business case Leapmotor is considering, with Australia potentially helping to get it over the line.

MORE: Leapmotor B03X nears local launch, set to become one of Australia's cheapest electric SUVs