At the end of 2025, Horse Powertrain, a powertrain joint venture established by Geely Holding Group and Renault Group, announced the completion of its "Future Hybrid System" development and plans to officially enter mass production in 2027. This collaboration combines Renault's advanced experience in hybrid systems with Geely's technological advantages in modular architecture and intelligent electronic control. The joint venture plans an annual production capacity of 5 million powertrain units, providing large-scale technical support for the engineering vehicle sector.
Horse Powertrain was established in May 2024. The company integrates the technological accumulation and global manufacturing resources of both parties in internal combustion engines and hybrid systems, aiming to become a global supplier in the field of hybrid and gasoline powertrains.
This Future Hybrid System is a core product of Horse Powertrain's "X-Range Series". Its design philosophy emphasizes high integration, modularity, and compatibility with existing EV platforms, specifically including:
Integrating the engine, transmission, motor, and electronic power system into a single modular unit.
Two variants are offered:
Performance version—featuring a P1+P3 dual-motor layout, with an overall width of approximately 740 mm.
Ultra-compact version—featuring a P2 single-motor layout, with an overall width of approximately 650 mm.
Compared to traditional hybrid systems, this system can shorten the vehicle's front overhang by approximately 150 mm, facilitating the "direct insertion" of the hybrid system into existing pure electric vehicle (EV) subframes, significantly reducing overall vehicle structural modification costs.
This means that for automakers—including commercial vehicle or engineering vehicle manufacturers—if they already have an EV chassis design, they can theoretically convert it to a hybrid or range-extended hybrid system with minor modifications, thus achieving flexibility in both electric and gasoline/synthetic fuel systems.
Horse Powertrain's future hybrid system boasts significant fuel flexibility. The official statement indicates that the system is compatible not only with traditional gasoline but also with alternative fuels such as ethanol (E85), methanol (M100), and synthetic fuels.
Furthermore, this powertrain supports multiple drive modes—plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) are both supported. Depending on the configuration, it can also achieve front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive (FWD/AWD), applicable to vehicles ranging from compact to large.
For construction vehicles, commercial vehicles, and even regions with unstable fuel infrastructure or diverse fuel sources (such as Africa, the Middle East, and other regions you are interested in), this flexible, multi-fuel + plug-in/hybrid/range-extended multi-mode hybrid system is very attractive.
Horse Powertrain's background and industrial foundation provide a solid foundation for the mass production and promotion of its hybrid system:
The company has 17 engine and transmission plants worldwide and 5 major R&D centers. In terms of the joint venture structure, Geely and Renault each hold approximately 45% of the shares, with a minority stake held by a third party (such as Saudi Aramco). Horse Powertrain plans to officially launch the hybrid system to the market in 2027. The first batch of prototype tests has been completed, and a demonstration operation project is expected to begin in 2026. The system will initially be applied to the engineering vehicle product line of the joint venture, and will be gradually opened to other manufacturers in the industry.
According to company executives and media disclosures, Horse not only supplies Geely and Renault themselves, but is also actively cooperating with other OEMs (including Chinese and international brands) to expand the coverage of hybrid and internal combustion powertrains in the global market.
The launch of this hybrid system marks a new stage in the transformation of engineering machinery powertrains. Compared to traditional diesel engines, the new system can reduce carbon emissions by more than 30% while maintaining the high torque output characteristics required for engineering vehicles. As global emission reduction requirements become increasingly stringent, this technology will provide engineering vehicle manufacturers with a technological path to meet future emission standards.
