Xiaomi SkyNomad: An SUV Built for When the Charging Network Runs Out
Xiaomi has unveiled the SkyNomad, an extended-range electric SUV (EREV) that pairs a 76 kWh battery with a petrol generator to push total range beyond 1,500 km (about 930 miles). The starting price is roughly 200,000 yuan — around $29,000 — which undercuts its two main Chinese rivals, the Li Auto L9 and Aito M9, by more than $7,000, per TechTimes. Deliveries in China are expected in Q3 2026; there is currently no announced timeline for US or UK availability.
How it works
An EREV is a series hybrid: the wheels are driven entirely by electric motors, while a petrol engine acts as an on-board generator to recharge the battery on the go. Xiaomi's setup uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine — developed with Harbin Dongan Auto — producing 112 kW and burning regular 92-octane petrol. Fuel consumption after the battery is depleted is a claimed 5.7 L/100 km under the WLTC test cycle. The powertrain carries an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, according to CarNewsChina.
The N90 Max and N70 Max
The flagship N90 Max measures 5,285 mm long — roughly the size of a full-size American SUV. It comes in five- or seven-seat (2+2+3) configurations and is driven by dual motors producing a combined 310 kW (415 hp). On battery power alone, it covers 363–370 km under WLTC — enough for most weekly commutes without touching the petrol engine. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun says the prototype has already logged more than 60,000 km of testing across different climate zones.
A smaller sibling, the N70 Max, offers 52 or 76 kWh battery options, with an electric-only range of up to 380 km. Either way, a full tank of petrol extends the total range well past 1,000 km.
The catch
The EREV segment in China contracted 25% year-on-year in May 2026, even as 54 new models are expected to enter the market this year — a sign of intensifying competition rather than expanding demand. More relevant for US and UK buyers: Xiaomi has not announced any export plans, and EREV technology remains rare in Western markets. The SkyNomad's lifestyle pitch — remote-region travel, camping, unlimited road trips — makes intuitive sense where charging infrastructure is sparse, but whether Xiaomi can build the sales and service network to support it outside China is an open question.
