Engine manufacturer Horse, a collaboration between Chinese Geely and French Renault, will now convert pure electric cars into hybrid cars.
Engine manufacturer Horse has developed a hybrid solution for the automotive industry. It makes it possible to convert an electric car into a hybrid car. The solution combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and the necessary electronics.
The new unit is designed to replace the front electric motor in an electric car. It is a compact package that contains the combustion engine, electric motor, transmission, inverter and control electronics in one.
The idea is to offer car manufacturers an alternative powertrain. The target group is manufacturers who have developed an electric car platform that might be better sold as a hybrid solution.
Volvo could be one of the first to use this solution. The Chinese-owned brand has recognized that it cannot do without the combustion engine. Read more about it here .
Horse is a company with well-known names behind it. It is jointly owned by Renault Group and Geely Group. The Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco is also a co-owner. Horse focuses specifically on the development of combustion engines and hybrid technology.
The new unit offers fuel flexibility. The petrol engine can run on regular petrol. It is also prepared for ethanol, methanol or synthetic fuels.
Flexible hybrid technology
However, the installation requires more than just the unit itself. The car manufacturer must find space for a fuel tank. An exhaust system must also be integrated into the car.
When the device is installed, the car functions as a plug-in hybrid. It can run on pure electricity from the battery. When the battery is empty or more power is needed, the combustion engine starts.
The engine can drive the car directly. It can also be used as a generator to charge the battery during cruising. This gives a longer overall range than with the battery alone.
Horse sees a shift in the automotive industry. Previously, battery-powered electric cars were seen as the only solution to zero emissions. Now, the picture looks different, the company believes.
"For over a decade, battery electric vehicles seemed to be the only path to zero emissions, and automakers planned accordingly," says Horse CEO Matias Giannini. He continues, "Now we are moving towards a technology-neutral world, where different markets follow their own path to sustainability."
The future of the combustion engine
The new hybrid solution reflects this development. It allows car manufacturers to offer multiple powertrains on the same platform. This may be relevant in regions where charging infrastructure is not yet fully developed.
It also gives manufacturers a way to leverage investments in electric vehicle platforms more broadly, reaching customer groups that are not yet ready for a pure electric vehicle.
The technology from Horse shows that the combustion engine is still being developed. The focus is on integration with electric power and the use of alternative fuels. This should make the technology more sustainable.
The future will show how much interest there will be in this type of conversion solution. It depends on market developments and consumer preferences globally.
At Boosted.dk you can read more about developments in automotive technology. We cover electric cars, hybrid cars and the continued development of the combustion engine.
Find news about Renault, Geely and other major car brands – like BMW – that refuse to put technology in the grave – here every day.
