EREVs Can Apparently Be Almost As Low-Maintenance As Full EVs

A new chapter in the electric-vehicle story is being written by Xiaomi, whose upcoming SkyNomad N70 and N90 models reportedly won’t require an oil change for up to three years. That headline-grabbing figure puts extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs, on nearly the same maintenance footing as full battery-electric cars. For drivers used to scheduling routine service visits twice a year, this represents a significant shift in how ownership costs are perceived.

For the uninitiated, an EREV is essentially an electric car with a small petrol engine that acts solely as a generator to charge the battery when it runs low. Unlike a traditional hybrid, the engine never directly drives the wheels, meaning it operates under far fewer stressors. That simpler, more consistent workload is why oil can last so long. It also means fewer oil-related parts to wear out, bringing EREV upkeep closer to that of a pure EV, which has no oil at all.

This development is particularly interesting for Saudi buyers