Innovative Low-Emission Transmission Technology Set to Transform Urban Mobility by 2025
HORSE, a division of Horse Powertrain and a leader in innovative, low-emission powertrain systems, has partnered with Portugal's Centre of Engineering and Product Development (CEiiA) to develop a new transmission technology for light vehicles. This market is expected to proliferate by 2030.
The newly devised 'reducer' transmission marks the beginning of a new generation of technologies designed, developed, and constructed in-house by HORSE.
From its production facility in Aveiro, HORSE will dispatch the initial prototypes of this technology. Each will be installed in an L7e-class microcar—a vehicle designed for a new mobility service to foster carbon neutrality in urban settings. CEiiA will oversee the development and testing of these pre-production series, with certification anticipated in the first half of 2025.
CEiiA is advancing this light vehicle as part of its ongoing mission to create and scale new products and services promoting carbon-neutral urban mobility. The microcar's production network will be established in Portugal, and global partners will be incorporated to ensure delivery. This vehicle builds on previous micro-mobility initiatives, such as Buddy in 2008 and the Toyota APM showcased at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Full-scale production of the new transmission component is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2025, potentially delivering up to 20,000 units from the Portuguese facility as urban mobility solutions expand. Plans are in place for the gearbox's integration into the light vehicle design, with performance testing slated for December 2025.
Patrice Haettel, Chief Executive at HORSE, commented, "This new offering signifies a landmark moment for HORSE—the first technology fully devised, developed, and manufactured by our team. While there is no single solution for the global challenges of decarbonisation and urban mobility, this technology represents one of many internal developments to tackle these issues. HORSE and CEiiA significantly contribute to achieving affordable and sustainable urban mobility on a grand scale."
CEiiA is spearheading the development of its innovative urban microcar solution in collaboration with leading automotive companies. Designed for use in dense urban areas, the new L7e vehicle will undergo its first public trial in several Portuguese cities. Following its targeted approval date of the second half of 2025, it will offer an accessible transport solution across the city.
This initiative is intended to serve as a model for other cities worldwide, with CEiiA planning to scale the vehicle for mass use in the forthcoming years. HORSE is concurrently exploring other micro-mobility projects globally that could benefit from the gearbox reducer developed for this project.