Hino continues hybrid success

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Trade Trucks AU  /  August 5, 2016

As it closes in on a decade on Australian roads, Hino says its 300 Series Hybrid still tops the market

Hino Australia is celebrating its 300 Series Hybrid’s continued market success as the truck heads towards a decade on the road.

Since its launch in 2007, the diesel-electric light-duty truck has topped the hybrid sales market in Australia with 481 units sold.

Hino Australia chairman and chief executive officer Steve Lotter says the sales stem from a more environmentally-conscious consumer and transport industry.

"Global demand for a low greenhouse gas emission truck gave us the perfect opportunity to provide our proven hybrid solution to Australian businesses," Lotter says.

"We stepped into a truck market unfamiliar with diesel-electric technology and implemented the world's best hybrid system thanks to our Toyota Group connection."

That connection sees the integration of an electric motor found in the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system – seen in consumer vehicles such as the Prius and Camry Hybrid – into the 300 Series trucks.

According to Hino, independent tests in 2012 found the hybrid models reduce fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and costs by 21 per cent in pick-up and delivery roles in metropolitan Sydney.  

Over the course of 100km, Hino says operators saved approximately 6.66 litres of fuel and 179.35 grams of CO2 emissions.

"The research and development by Toyota and our global Hino counterparts ensured our product delivered on our promise of quality, durability and reliability," Lotter says.

"For our local customers, recognising that the Hino Hybrid helps save fuel and increase the bottom line has made it the preferred choice for fleets of all sizes."

The hybrid and electric topic has been on the tongue of many truck manufacturers in recent times with Telsa and Mercedes-Benz announcing truck plans, Scania trialling its hybrid truck on Swedish electric highways, and Adgero speaking about its new regenerative braking-powered UltraBoost ST at ComVec 2016.

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