Integrated Engine-Motor Drive Retrofits Pure EVs Into Hybrids

Automakers are rethinking their all-electric vehicle expansion plans, increasingly adopting multiple powertrain technologies to reduce emissions across their global lineups. Horse Powertrain is ready to lend a hand, combining its expertise in both electric motor and internal combustion engine (ICE) technology into an all-in-one fuel-electric drive called the Future Hybrid Concept. This innovative setup aims to seamlessly blend battery and fuel propulsion into a single drive unit, enabling the transformation of a pure-electric car into a flexible hybrid.​

EV Sales Slow, Hybrids Surge in Popularity

While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) experienced a recovery after a slow start in 2024, their growth slowed significantly during the year, ceding some market momentum to gas-electric hybrids. In the U.S., electric vehicle sales surpassed 1.3 million, a 7.3 percent increase from 2023, according to Cox Automotive sales data. However, this represents a significant year-over-year drop from the 49 percent sales growth experienced between 2022 and 2023.​

Meanwhile, hybrids (including plug-ins) outpaced EVs in the U.S., selling over 1.8 million units in 2024, a 30 percent increase over 2023 numbers, according to data from Edmunds. Hybrids had an 11 percent market share in 2024 compared to an 8 percent share for EVs. In Europe, the difference was even more pronounced: hybrid registrations grew by 21 percent, while EV registrations experienced their first decrease in years, dropping by 1.2 percent, as tracked by JATO Dynamics.​

In response, automakers are increasing hybrid production levels and revising their electrification roadmaps to include a wider selection of lower-emission powertrain options, rather than focusing exclusively on BEVs.​

Horse Powertrain’s Origin and Mission

Horse Powertrain was established as a joint venture between Renault and Geely in 2023, with the mission to develop cleaner next-generation internal combustion engines and hybrid powertrains that align with automakers’ global net-zero strategies. The company is now presenting a vision for the future with its new powertrain concept.​

Horse Powertrain designed the Future Hybrid Concept (FHC) to help automakers transition from all-electric to hybrid electric vehicles. Automakers can install it directly into existing BEV platforms with minimal modifications, enabling them to offer hybrid versions of EVs without making major investments in new platforms or production tools.

Horse integrates an electric motor, internal combustion engine, transmission, and electronic control hardware into a single compact FHC unit that mounts directly to the vehicle’s subframe in place of a front-mounted BEV electric drive. This enables automakers to integrate it directly into existing BEV architecture to offer a hybrid solution, either as an alternative to or replacement for the all-electric model.​

The Future Hybrid Concept does not include its own battery; instead, it uses its ICE as a range-extender generator for the existing battery in the BEV platform. The electric motor can operate on its own to deliver drive power or in parallel with the engine, and the system is also meant to work within an all-wheel-drive layout. It includes an onboard charger and an 800-V booster for fast-charging the vehicle battery.​

A New Vision for a Technology-Neutral Market

For over a decade, it looked like battery electric vehicles were the only path to net zero and OEMs planned accordingly,” said Horse CEO Matias Giannini. “However, we’re now shifting toward a technology-neutral world, with different markets and applications each pursuing their own sustainable mobility journey. Our Future Hybrid compact, integrated powertrain concept allows OEMs to offer powertrain diversity with minimal disruption to production process and resource expenditure.

Horse designed the FHC drive not only to integrate with BEV architecture but also to fit directly into existing ICE platforms, automatically enhancing emissions and efficiency compared to the original ICE powertrain. They configured its east/west orientation to comply with global safety and crash standards.

Fuel Versatility and Next-Gen Readiness

Adding even more efficiency-boosting flexibility, the Future Hybrid Concept’s engine can run on a variety of fuels, including gasoline, ethanol flex fuels, methanol, and synthetics, providing a versatile platform for operations in markets around the globe. Horse has also future-proofed the compact design so it can work seamlessly with anticipated next-gen components like automotive heat pumps and R290 refrigerants.​

Horse unveiled the Future Hybrid Concept at the 2025 Auto Shanghai show.Although the concept may look futuristic, the developers have brought it closer to production than it appears — they plan to launch the first vehicles equipped with the technology as early as 2028.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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