Industry Trends: Future Trends of High-Efficiency Thermal Technology and Automobile Hybrid Systems
introduction
As the world pays increasing attention to environmental protection and energy efficiency, various industries are actively developing new technologies to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Especially in the field of automobile manufacturing, improving engine thermal efficiency has become one of the goals pursued by many car companies. The following is an analysis of the latest progress and industry trends in this regard in 2026.
Engine Thermal Efficiency: Geely and Changan’s Breakthrough
Geely’s i-HEV Zhiqing petrol-electric hybrid technology
Geely Auto recently released its latest i-HEV hybrid technology, which achieves an astonishing 48.41% engine thermal efficiency. This improvement in thermal efficiency not only means higher fuel economy, but also significantly reduces carbon emissions, which is of great significance to promoting the development of environmentally friendly vehicles.
According to Geely, i-HEV technology uses an advanced combustion system and an intelligent energy management system to optimize energy efficiency under different driving conditions. In addition, by integrating efficient batteries and electric motors, i-HEV can better utilize recovered kinetic energy and further improve overall energy efficiency.
Changan’s plug-in hybrid system
Also in the Chinese market, Changan Automobile also announced a new technological innovation-the plug-in hybrid system. This system from Changan focuses on improving the efficiency of the internal combustion engine while reducing reliance on batteries, thereby achieving higher thermal efficiency and lower operating costs.
Changan's new system improves the engine's thermal efficiency and reduces energy loss by optimizing the fuel injection and combustion processes. The launch of this system shows that Changan has also made important progress in the field of hybrid technology, providing the market with more choices.
Innovation in Digital Imaging Technology: GoPro’s GP3 Processor
Although GoPro's new generation AI imaging processor GP3 is not directly related to the thermal efficiency of car engines, its breakthrough performance in energy efficiency and low-light environments is also worthy of attention. Compared with the previous generation product, the energy efficiency of the GP3 processor has been doubled, and the imaging quality in low-light environments has been significantly improved.
The innovation of this technology not only has an important impact on the consumer electronics industry, but also provides a new development direction for camera and sensor technology in the automotive field. As autonomous driving technology continues to advance, high-energy-efficiency, low-light-sensitive imaging processors will become key components to improve vehicle safety and intelligence.
The future of cooling technology: predictions from IDTechEx
According to the latest report from IDTechEx, two-phase cooling plate technology is expected to be widely used in 2026 to 2027. This technology effectively improves cooling efficiency and reduces system energy consumption through phase change of liquid coolant on the cooling plate.
In the automotive industry, this technology can be used for efficient cooling of battery packs and electronic control units, further improving the thermal management performance of hybrid and electric vehicles. IDTechEx's report points out that two-phase cooling plate technology has significant advantages in improving thermal efficiency and system reliability, and is expected to become an important part of future automotive cooling systems.
Summarize
In 2026, technological innovation in the automotive industry will continue to accelerate, especially in improving engine thermal efficiency and cooling technology. Geely and Changan's breakthroughs in hybrid technology demonstrate the leading position of Chinese car companies in this field. At the same time, GoPro’s GP3 processor and IDTechEx’s cooling technology predictions also provide new ideas and technical support for the future development of the automotive industry.
These technological advances not only help improve the performance and energy efficiency of automobiles, but also lay a solid foundation for realizing greener and smarter transportation. As technology continues to mature and be applied, future cars will be more in line with the needs of global sustainable development.
📰 Reference source
- Geely releases i-HEV Zhiqing petrol-electric hybrid technology, with engine thermal efficiency as high as 48.41%- Autohome (May 27, 2026)
- Cycle City - Almaty East Gate Masterplan Habibeh Madjdabadi Architecture Studio- World-Architects (May 23, 2026)
- GoPro Reveals GP3: Next-Gen AI Imaging Chip Offering 2X Power and Revolutionary Low-Light Performance- GoPro (March 3, 2026)
- China’s Changan Bets on Fuel-Powered Cars With New Plug-Free Hybrid System- Yicai Global (April 1, 2026)
- Two-Phase Cold Plate Cooling Will Take Off as Early as 2026-2027- IDTechEx (November 27, 2025)
FAQ ❓
What is the engine thermal efficiency of Geely Automobile's i-HEV Zhiqing petrol-electric hybrid technology?
The engine thermal efficiency of Geely Automobile's i-HEV Zhiqing petrol-electric hybrid technology has reached 48.41%.
How does Changan Automobile's new technology reduce dependence on batteries?
Changan Automobile's new plug-in hybrid system improves the efficiency of the internal combustion engine and reduces energy loss by optimizing the fuel injection and combustion processes, thereby reducing reliance on batteries.
What improvements does GoPro’s GP3 processor have in terms of energy efficiency compared to the previous generation?
GoPro's GP3 processor is twice as energy efficient as its previous generation, and its image quality in low-light environments has been significantly improved.
What are the main trends in automotive cooling technology predicted by IDTechEx from 2026 to 2027?
According to IDTechEx's forecast, two-phase cooling plate technology is expected to be widely used from 2026 to 2027. This technology uses liquid coolant to undergo phase change on the cooling plate, effectively improving cooling efficiency and reducing system energy consumption.
What does two-phase cooling plate technology mean for thermal management in electric vehicles?
Two-phase cooling plate technology can be used for efficient cooling of electric vehicle battery packs and electronic control units, further improving the thermal management performance of hybrid and electric vehicles, improving thermal efficiency and system reliability.