A new hybrid engine concept developed by Horse Powertrain, powered by 100% renewable fuel, can improve vehicle mileage by up to 40%.
The renewable fuel made from organic waste and cooking oils also helps cut emissions by 1.77 tonnes per car per year, when compared to a vehicle using fossil fuels.
The H12 Concept Engine from Horse Powertrain. Image: Horse Powertrain.
Developing a hybrid engine concept might seem fruitless, given that the future of transportation is set to be all-electric. However, as countries push their net-zero targets further and the rollout of fast-charging networks takes a back seat as government funding slows, hybrid engines could be the perfect solution for the transitional phase we are in.
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The company began as a joint venture between Renault and Geely, and was spun out as a hybrid and combustion engine specialist in 2023. Back then, car makers were only looking to make a big leap into electric vehicles (EVs).
Fast forward three years, and they are thankful for Horse Powertrain’s expertise, which has enabled them to roll out hybrid versions of their current lineup using off-the-shelf components. Horse, however, continues its innovation journey and has now developed a hybrid engine that delivers superior fuel efficiency while reducing emissions.
H12 Concept Engine
The H12 Concept Engine has evolved from Horse Powertrain’s HR12 three-cylinder engine, which has been in production since 2024. The H12 also inherits the turbocharger from its predecessor, but also boasts a new exhaust gas recirculation system.
Engineers at Horse Powertrain also decided to tweak the gearbox for better energy improvement and added a high-energy ignition system. The end result is a hybrid engine with a 17:1 compression ratio with a 44.2% peak brake thermal efficiency (BTE).
According to the company, the concept engine delivers 115km per gallon (3.3 km/L). According to EU data, the average fuel consumption for a 100km trip in an internal combustion engine is between five and six litres.
Averaging this number, the reduction in fuel consumption to 3.3 km/L is a 40% reduction. Additionally, the fuel used in the setup wasn’t regular gas, but a renewable one developed by Spanish energy supplier Repsol.
Renewable fuel
The H12 concept engine was run on Repsol’s Nexa-95, a 95-octane gasoline that is completely renewable in origin. By renewable, Repsol means that it isn’t sourced from fossil fuels dug up from the ground. Instead, the fuel is produced from non-fossilised organic matter, such as agricultural and forestry waste and cooking oils.
The fuel can be used directly in existing internal combustion engines without any modifications. Last year, the company began producing Nexa 95 at industrial scales.
When used with the H12 Concept, companies estimate that emissions from a mid-sized vehicle will be up to 1.77 tonnes lower than those from a vehicle powered by non-renewable fuel.
“The HORSE H12 Concept is an example of how highly efficient engines and renewable fuels can reduce emissions today, without waiting for future solutions,” said Patrice Haettel, chief operating officer at Horse Powertrain, in a press release.
“As a company, we believe that relying on a single technology is not the fastest way to cut emissions. This is why we advocate a technology-neutral approach that enables innovation across all solutions – electric, hybrid, range extenders, and low-carbon fuels.”
A demonstrator vehicle powered by the H12 concept engine and Nexa95 fuel is also on the cards and could be revealed soon.