An easier transition to cleaner transportation…
The road to zero-emission transport was supposed to be a straight line, but reality has a habit of adding bends. As EV adoption has proven slower and more complicated than automakers and governments once predicted, a new class of technology is stepping into the gap. The Horse H12 Concept engine is one of the most compelling examples yet.
Horse Powertrain, a spinoff from a Geely-Renault joint venture that has grown into one of the world’s leading engine manufacturers, has partnered with Spanish energy company Repsol to develop a next-generation hybrid powertrain that runs on 100% renewable fuel. The results are striking: the company claims the prototype can boost fuel economy by 40% while cutting up to 1.77 tons of CO2 emissions annually compared to a conventional combustion engine running on regular gasoline.
The H12 is built on a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder base, but heavily reworked. Key upgrades include a 17:1 compression ratio, an optimized turbocharger, a new exhaust gas recirculation system, and a high-energy ignition system, all working together to achieve a peak brake thermal efficiency of 44.2%. That translates to fuel consumption estimates below 3.3 L/100 km, or better than 70 mpg.
The fuel itself is equally interesting. Repsol’s “Nexa 95” renewable gasoline is made from organic materials including agricultural and forestry waste and used cooking oils, and is compatible with existing gas-powered vehicles without any modifications. Repsol estimates it can reduce CO2 emissions by more than 70% compared to conventional gasoline and the company already has one dedicated production facility running at industrial scale, with a second planned for this year.
What makes this story particularly timely is the context around it. As consumer EV demand has become increasingly uncertain, Horse has positioned itself as a critical bridge, supplying hybrid powertrains to major automakers like Volvo, Nissan, and Mitsubishi, allowing them to fill out their lineups without diverting billions into new combustion R&D.
Is this the future of transportation? Probably not on its own. But the H12 makes a compelling case that the internal combustion engine isn’t finished yet — it just needed better fuel, smarter engineering, and a moment of honest reckoning about how complex the energy transition really is.
This topic was featured in Great News podcast episode 37.
The Great News Podcast is your source for positive news, inspiring stories, and good news from around the world. We skip the doom and gloom of mainstream media to focus on scientific breakthroughs, environmental wins, and the inspiring news that proves the world is getting better. Join Andrew McGivern for a dose of optimism and uplifting stories that will change your perspective on human progress.
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Keep looking for the good in the world, because it is not only there – its everywhere.
This episode is brought to you by the Daily Quote. The podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way.Today, we’re exploring how scientists are turning back the clock on aging cells, printing infrastructure beneath the ocean waves, and building a ”heart-on-a-chip” to revolutionize medicine.And don't forget to stick around to the end for the speed round for even more great news!The First Epigenetic Reprogramming Therapy Enters Human TrialsThe World’s First Underwater 3D Concrete Printer
The Tiny Chip That Could Change Heart Medicine ForeverThe Horse H12 is a Cleaner Combustion Engine
Alright, Let's dive into the speed round for even more great news:
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A new blood test can now predict when Alzheimer’s symptoms will begin—with an accuracy within three to four years—long before memory problems appear.
Scientists are testing CAR T cell therapy to target and destroy the amyloid plaques in the brain that cause Alzheimer's, successfully reshaping the immune landscape in preclinical models.
And my favorite quote of the day from the Daily Quote podcast this week is from James Clear who said,
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.”
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From rejuvenating cells to printing structures underwater, today’s stories prove that those seeds of innovation are growing into a brighter world.
I’m Andrew McGivern, and until next time, and there will be a next time, keep looking for the good in the world, because it’s everywhere.
Source: New Atlas
