Renault and Geely showcase compact range extender for EVs

According to Horse Powertrain, the Horse C15 requires only minimal changes to the platform. In other words, platforms originally designed purely for electric drives could, in the event of a change in strategy, also be used for hybrid vehicles without much effort, enabling hybrids to be offered on the basis of this platform after all. Horse Powertrain had already presented a similar product, albeit still in the concept stage, at Auto Shanghai in April under the name ‘Future Hybrid Concept’.

The Horse C15, on the other hand, is a series-production mode that the manufacturer presents as an “ultra compact range extender system.” It integrates the motor, generator, cooling package and inverter into a single unit that “can transform BEVs into range-extended EVs with minimal modification,” according to the company. A 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is standard, but Horse Powertrain has not yet provided any details about the other components. In the naturally aspirated engine version, the Horse C15 is said to measure 50 x 55 x 27.5 centimetres. It can be installed either horizontally or vertically, “allowing the unit to be placed in a BEV’s front compartment or in the rear,” according to the manufacturer.

Matias Giannini, CEO of Horse Powertrain, commented: “Range extended EVs are the fastest-growing powertrain category in many global markets. The Horse C15 range extender solution offers OEMs a straightforward and cost-effective way to tap into this opportunity, and adapt their native BEV platforms into REEVs. We believe demand for REEVs will continue to grow. Horse C15 will play a critical role in this transition, as one of the market’s most efficient and flexible REEV solutions to date. It also underlines our commitment and ability to support OEMs in delivering a full range of EVs, hybrids, and combustion platforms.”

According to Horse Powertrain, the Horse C15 is designed to meet the Euro 7 standard (including China 7 and SULEV20) and will be available as a naturally aspirated engine for B- and C-segment vehicles with an engine output of up to 70 kW. For larger D-segment vehicles and light commercial vehicles, an additional turbocharger will increase the output to up to 120 kW. The company has not yet specified when and in which markets the new product will be available in its announcement for IAA Mobility.

Horse Powertrain will be at the IAA Mobility in Munich next week at stand B40 in hall A2. In addition to the Horse 15 and other members of the X-Range product family, the Fusion and One system families will also be presented there – a series of complete plug-and-play hybrid drives with combustion and electric drives.

horse-powertrain.com (PDF)

This article was first published by Cora Werwitzke for electrive’s German edition.