Xiaomi Skynomad N70 Max Claims 505 km Electric Range and a 3-Year Oil Change Interval
Xiaomi is pushing deeper into the extended-range electric vehicle market with the Skynomad N70 Max, an SUV that aims to solve two of the biggest concerns for car buyers: range anxiety and maintenance costs.
According to Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun, the rear-wheel-drive Skynomad N70 Max is being positioned as the extended-range electric vehicle with the longest electric driving range on a single charge. The SUV is rated for up to 505 km, or around 314 miles, of electric-only driving under the CLTC test cycle.
That figure is unusually high for an EREV. Extended-range electric vehicles typically carry smaller batteries than fully electric cars because they also include a gasoline-powered generator. Xiaomi, however, has fitted the Skynomad N70 Max with a 76 kWh battery, a capacity more commonly associated with pure EVs than plug-in hybrids or range-extended models.
This large battery pack allows most daily driving to be completed without using fuel at all. For many owners, the gasoline generator may only be needed during longer road trips or in situations where charging is not convenient.
The Skynomad N70 Max combines its large battery with a 1.5-liter onboard generator supplied by Harbin Dongan. The engine is not used to directly drive the wheels. Instead, it charges the battery while the vehicle is moving, allowing the SUV to keep operating when the battery runs low.
The generator is said to achieve peak efficiency of more than 44%, producing around 4 kWh of electricity per liter of fuel. When paired with the SUV’s 68-liter fuel tank, Xiaomi claims a total driving range of up to 1,500 km, or about 937 miles.
That combination of long electric range and extended total range is the main appeal of the Skynomad N70 Max. It can behave like an EV for everyday use while still offering the backup security of a gasoline generator for long-distance travel.
Xiaomi is also trying to make EREV ownership feel closer to owning a fully electric car. One of the biggest advantages of EVs is low routine maintenance, since there is no traditional engine oil to replace. Extended-range vehicles still have combustion engines, even if those engines are used only as generators, which normally means more service requirements.
To address this, Xiaomi has worked with Shell to develop a special low-viscosity oil for the 1.5-liter generator. The result is a claimed oil change interval of three years, a major reduction compared with many gasoline-powered vehicles.
Because the Skynomad N70 Max can travel more than 500 km on battery power alone and can recharge in around 18 minutes, the onboard generator may remain unused for long periods in normal driving. That helps explain how Xiaomi can offer such a long oil service interval.
For buyers considering the switch from gasoline vehicles to electric cars, the Skynomad N70 Max could be an appealing middle ground. It offers the quiet, smooth, battery-powered driving experience of an EV for most trips, while reducing the worry of being stranded without a charger nearby.
Pricing may also help Xiaomi attract attention. The Skynomad N70 Max is expected to start from the equivalent of about $36,200, placing it below some popular electric SUVs while offering a much longer claimed total driving range.
With a 505 km electric-only range, 1,500 km total range, fast charging, and a three-year oil change interval, the Xiaomi Skynomad N70 Max shows how extended-range electric SUVs are becoming more competitive with both traditional EVs and gasoline vehicles. For drivers who want electric driving without fully giving up the safety net of fuel, Xiaomi’s new SUV could be one of the most interesting options in the market.
