New Hybrid Engine Hits 71 MPG on 100% Renewable Fuel

While the world debates the future of transportation, one company just proved that cleaning up traditional engines might be a faster path to cutting emissions than anyone expected.

Horse Powertrain, a rising star in hybrid technology, partnered with Spanish energy company Repsol to create the H12 Concept engine. The turbocharged 1.2-liter powerplant runs entirely on renewable fuel and achieves an impressive 71 miles per gallon, a 40% improvement over today's average combustion engines.

The numbers tell a compelling story. A midsize car equipped with this engine could eliminate 1.77 tons of CO2 emissions every year compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. That's the equivalent of taking hundreds of cars off the road when you consider fleet-wide adoption.

Horse achieved these results through smart engineering tweaks. The team optimized the turbocharger, installed a new exhaust system, improved the hybrid gearbox for better energy management, and added a high-energy ignition system. The result is a 44.2% thermal efficiency rating, meaning nearly half the fuel's energy actually moves the car instead of turning into waste heat.

The timing couldn't be better. Consumer demand for fully electric vehicles has become uncertain, and automakers are scrambling to add more hybrid options to their lineups. Horse has positioned itself perfectly for this moment, already becoming the world's third-largest engine manufacturer just three years after spinning out from a Geely-Renault partnership.

The company now operates 17 manufacturing plants and supplies major brands including Volvo, Nissan, and Mitsubishi. CEO Matias Giannini told reporters the company aims to become the world's largest engine manufacturer by 2035.

Why This Inspires

This breakthrough matters because it offers a practical solution available right now. Electric vehicle infrastructure takes years to build, but this technology can drop into existing factories and fuel stations tomorrow.

"We believe that relying on a single technology is not the fastest way to cut emissions," said Horse COO Patrice Haettel. His team advocates for a technology-neutral approach, letting the best solutions win rather than betting everything on one option.

Repsol already operates one facility producing 100% renewable fuel, with a second plant coming online this year. The fuel works in specially optimized engines without requiring drivers to change their habits or wait at charging stations.

The partnership shows how established industries can innovate toward sustainability without abandoning everything that already works. By making combustion engines cleaner and more efficient while switching to renewable fuel sources, companies can cut emissions dramatically while the world builds out charging networks and battery technology.

Sometimes the fastest path forward isn't a revolution but making what we already have work better for everyone.