Renault Horse and Repsol unveil H12 Concept engine with 100% renewable fuel
H12 Concept engine: high efficiency with renewable fuel
Renault Horse and Repsol unveil H12 Concept engine with 100% renewable fuel
Renault Horse and Repsol reveal the H12 Concept engine, achieving over 44% thermal efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions using 100% renewable gasoline for internal combustion.
2026-02-18T07:39:17+03:00
2026-02-18T07:39:17+03:00
2026-02-18T07:39:17+03:00
Renault Horse and Repsol have unveiled the H12 Concept engine, marking a new phase in internal combustion engine evolution centered on using 100% renewable fuel. Based on the familiar HR12 engine found in the Renault Rafale and Dacia Duster, the concept has undergone extensive reengineering for high combustion efficiency, reduced friction, and improved thermal performance. Engineers in Valladolid, Spain, working with Repsol specialists, achieved impressive results: thermal efficiency exceeds 44%, and combined-cycle fuel consumption drops below 3.3 liters per 100 km under WLTP standards.A key feature of this development is its adaptation to sustainable fuels. Repsol has already launched such gasoline—100% renewable and compatible with standard petrol engines.The H12 Concept shows how CO2 emissions can be reduced immediately, without waiting for a complete shift away from internal combustion. According to the developers, with an annual mileage of 12,500 km, emissions are cut by 1.77 tons of CO2 per year while maintaining performance and dynamics.Engineering solutions include an ultra-high compression ratio of 17:1, a new EGR system, a redesigned turbocharger, and a hybrid transmission. This foundation supports affordable and eco-friendly powertrains that could help automakers meet EU regulations without sharply increasing vehicle costs.Horse emphasizes that betting on a single technology, whether electric vehicles or biofuels, won't speed up decarbonization. The H12 Concept illustrates an alternative path: combining hybridization with new fuel types.
Renault Horse, Repsol, H12 Concept engine, renewable fuel, internal combustion engine, thermal efficiency, CO2 reduction, sustainable gasoline, hybrid powertrain
2026
Michael Powers
news
H12 Concept engine: high efficiency with renewable fuel
Renault Horse and Repsol reveal the H12 Concept engine, achieving over 44% thermal efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions using 100% renewable gasoline for internal combustion.
Michael Powers, Editor
Renault Horse and Repsol have unveiled the H12 Concept engine, marking a new phase in internal combustion engine evolution centered on using 100% renewable fuel. Based on the familiar HR12 engine found in the Renault Rafale and Dacia Duster, the concept has undergone extensive reengineering for high combustion efficiency, reduced friction, and improved thermal performance. Engineers in Valladolid, Spain, working with Repsol specialists, achieved impressive results: thermal efficiency exceeds 44%, and combined-cycle fuel consumption drops below 3.3 liters per 100 km under WLTP standards.
A key feature of this development is its adaptation to sustainable fuels. Repsol has already launched such gasoline—100% renewable and compatible with standard petrol engines.
The H12 Concept shows how CO2 emissions can be reduced immediately, without waiting for a complete shift away from internal combustion. According to the developers, with an annual mileage of 12,500 km, emissions are cut by 1.77 tons of CO2 per year while maintaining performance and dynamics.
Engineering solutions include an ultra-high compression ratio of 17:1, a new EGR system, a redesigned turbocharger, and a hybrid transmission. This foundation supports affordable and eco-friendly powertrains that could help automakers meet EU regulations without sharply increasing vehicle costs.
Horse emphasizes that betting on a single technology, whether electric vehicles or biofuels, won't speed up decarbonization. The H12 Concept illustrates an alternative path: combining hybridization with new fuel types.
