Renault & Geely come up with a small range-extender powertrain

Horse Powertrain, a company founded by Renault and Geely, has reported working on an innovative combustion engine that will fit into most EVs, turning them into long-range hybrids.

The four-cylinder mill is reportedly compact enough to fit in the frunk of most EVs. It will also be available as a single powertrain unit composed of an engine, an electric motor and all the reduction gear an EV may need. In this case, it can be installed in most EVs not to complement, but to replace their motor(s) completely.

The company believes that the novelty will be especially appreciated by those automakers who had already put in substantial investment in all-electric cars and would like a bit of flexibility in the changing market.

Visitors of this week’s Auto Shanghai show will be able to see the Horse Powertrain with their own eyes.