Xiaomi goes after Li Auto: a big SUV with no range anxiety is on the way

© A. Krivonosov

Xiaomi EV has stepped beyond pure electrics. The company’s automotive arm has secured approval from China’s Ministry of Industry (MIIT) to build extended-range passenger vehicles — EREV models, where a gasoline engine works as a generator to charge the battery.

Until now Xiaomi has built only BEVs — the SU7 sedan and the YU7 crossover. The new clearance matters for its next niche: large family SUVs, where buyers want to drive electric in the city without being tied to chargers on a long trip. In China, exactly this format helped Li Auto and Aito grab a sizeable slice of the upscale family segment.

According to Chinese media, Xiaomi could spin off a separate brand called Skynomad. The first model is reportedly a full-size SUV with the internal code name Kunlun N3, measuring over 5.3 meters. A battery above 70 kWh and an electric range of 400–500 km are expected. Battery suppliers are said to be Sunwoda and CALB, with a 60%/40% split.

The launch is expected in the second half of 2026. Xiaomi has set an ambitious target — 550,000 vehicles delivered for the year, up from roughly 410,000 in 2025. In May the company handed 32,759 cars to customers, with January through May deliveries reaching 150,317.

For Xiaomi this is not just another body style. EREV gives the brand a shot at buyers who like the idea of an EV but still find long-distance trips scarier than the pull of going fully electric.