High-efficiency hybrids
Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, supports automotive OEMs with a range of systems including engines, transmissions, power electronics and integrated hybrid platforms. The company recently made the global debut of its groundbreaking “Amorphous Motor” technology, achieving industry-leading efficiency of 98.2% and enabling a 1% reduction in whole-vehicle fuel consumption
The Amorphous Motor uses amorphous steel – a steel alloy with incredibly high durability, strength and magnetic permeability. Leveraging these properties has enabled Horse Powertrain to dramatically reduce the thickness of the steel layers that make up a motor stator to just 0.025mm thick – one tenth the thickness of steel used in traditional motors.
“This latest innovation demonstrates Horse Powertrain’s continued commitment to research and development, providing suppliers and OEMs with the tools to raise the bar when it comes to fuel economy and emissions performance,” says Ingo Scholten, deputy chief technology officer at Horse Powertrain. “The Amorphous Motor is an ideal tool to power a new generation of high-efficiency range-extended EVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, ensuring these technologies continue to play a substantial role in automotive’s decarbonisation journey.”
Amorphous steel is highly conductive, allowing the motor’s losses to stator iron to be reduced by 50% compared to equivalent designs. As a result, 98.2% efficiency is achieved while outputting a maximum power of 140kW at 360Nm.
TECH-NEUTRAL APPROACH TO DECARBONISATION
Horse Powertrain’s continued innovation across the hybrid and combustion component stack is powered by a global footprint of 17 manufacturing plants, five R&D centres, and 19,000 employees. This latest innovation follows the recent announcement of several new high-efficiency technologies that form part of Horse Powertrain’s global strategy, focusing on a technologically neutral approach to decarbonisation.
“Shifting the global vehicle parc towards electric BEVs is one approach to decarbonisation. But it’s not the only approach – electrification alone cannot get us all the way there,” says Scholten. “In many markets, carbon-intensive electricity grids, lack of grid infrastructure, and critical material bottlenecks prevent BEVs from being the most effective mass mobility option that reduces transport emissions.”
Instead, Horse Powertrain champions an approach that centres around selecting the best technology to reduce transport emissions in a particular market. Scholten explains, “That means that in those markets where combustion and hybrid technology remain a staple – which will be much of the world, since at least 50% of vehicles will still feature an engine by 2040 – we should focus on technologies that bring down the emissions footprint of these vehicles.”
Horse Powertrain’s philosophy is to drive efficiency gains in combustion and hybrid technology to reduce the long-term emissions produced by fleets built atop these powertrains. “Our Amorphous Motor is a great case in point of this philosophy in action – using a fundamental breakthrough in material science to improve the efficiency of hybrid transmissions and cut down fuel use,” Scholten adds. “We are also developing alternative and flex-fuel engines, which further contribute to decarbonisation without the need for the massive infrastructure investment required for electric vehicles – you can already see the success of this in the Brazilian market.”
“For OEMs, this gives them time and flexibility. We are handling combustion and hybrid technology, allowing OEMs to invest in electric powertrains while also still providing combustion and hybrid offerings. By doing this, OEMs can cater to a truly global market and provide tailored solutions to different regions while remaining cost-effective and adaptable to change.”
AUTOMOTIVE’S DECARBONISATION JOURNEY
Taking a wider view of the automotive sector’s progress towards low-emission vehicles and technologies, Scholten notes the clear shift towards electrification over the past decade. “While BEV adoption has increased, the growth of hybrids has also been significant, with demand in the UK alone increasing by 35% between 2024 and 2025,” he observes. “While it was originally supposed that hybrid vehicles would operate as a transitional technology, it is now becoming clear that hybrids are set to be a long-term staple of the global vehicle parc.”
Crucial to this strategy is continued investment and research into combustion and hybrid engine technology, Scholten adds: “The future of the industry will still include combustion engines. It is vital that we continue to improve these engines and powertrains to make them as efficient and low-emission as possible. The auto industry is still adjusting to this new reality. Hybrid innovation is key to long-term decarbonisation, not simply a stepping-stone along the way.”
