15:24 19-04-2026

Aramco's new DHE hybrid engine boosts efficiency and cuts costs

Aramco unveils its Dedicated Hybrid Engine (DHE) with up to 42% thermal efficiency and 35% less fuel use. This cost-effective hybrid could reshape the market.

Oil giant Aramco has unveiled its new DHE (Dedicated Hybrid Engine) powertrain, which could shift the balance of power in the market. The system, built around a 1.6-liter engine, achieves up to 42% thermal efficiency and promises a 35% reduction in fuel consumption. It's also said to be cheaper than conventional hybrids. For the hybrid segment and new 2025 vehicles, this represents an attempt to extend the life of the internal combustion engine.

The DHE is a hybrid designed from the ground up, not adapted from existing solutions. It features an unusual layout with two motor-generators and planetary gearsets positioned on either side of the crankshaft.

Aramco, in which Renault holds a stake, is prioritizing efficiency over outright power. The engine operates within a narrow rev range where it achieves maximum efficiency, with electric motors handling all dynamic demands. This approach is reminiscent of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system, but the execution is different.

The engine itself is radically simplified. It's a 1.6-liter three-cylinder unit without a separate cylinder head, featuring two valves per cylinder and no complex variable valve timing systems.

Engineers focused on reducing losses. They used roller bearings instead of plain ones, an offset crankshaft, and eliminated belt-driven accessories. The result is high thermal efficiency of 41–42%. Further improvements are being considered, including a compression ratio of up to 15:1 and potential future use of hydrogen.

The main advantage is cost. According to estimates, this hybrid could be roughly 20% cheaper than conventional solutions like the Toyota HSD, while offering comparable or better fuel economy. However, the project is currently at the prototype stage, and automakers are only just beginning to show interest.

Aramco is proposing an unconventional path for the auto industry. Instead of abandoning internal combustion engines entirely, it advocates for their deep integration within a hybrid system. If this technology reaches mass production, it could pose a serious challenge to traditional hybrids and potentially slow the transition to fully electric vehicles.