Australia has put its foot on the pedal towards a more sustainable future, announcing a goal of zero emissions by 2050. In the more immediate future, the target is 43% by 2035. Interestingly, transport emissions make up 19% of our country’s total emissions and 38% of that coming directly from the road freight sector.
As businesses and industries across the board look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, the transport industry faces a real challenge as it considers workable solutions to drastically reduce emissions that meet the new global standards being set.
There seems to be a new sustainable solution announcement each month, but when looking at Australia’s infrastructure, population and resourcing, what is the right solution? Is it Fuel Cell, Battery EV or Hybrid Electric?
As part of the Toyota Group, Hino is working towards a more sustainable global environment by reducing CO2 emissions across the entire lifecycle of the vehicle but not only during the operation of the vehicle, but also during the production process in the factory, while overall minimising the use of the earths resources and reducing the impact on biodiversity and the broader environment.
To find out more about the Hino Environmental Challenge 2050 and proposed targets, click here.
Overall applying the right solution for customer specific applications is vital and around the world, Hino is already developing and introducing logical solutions.
In Australia, the solution has been in market for over 15 years and has proven itself with close to 1000 vehicles on the roadtoday.Australia’s only Hybrid Electric truck is the solution that is available now for customers in pursuit of an immediate reduction in total emissions with no recharging or range limitations.
Introducing the Hino Hybrid Electric
Whether you're a small business owner or manage a fleet, the Hino Hybrid Electric will benefit both your bottom line and the environment. The truck combines the best of everything - the efficiency of an electric motor, the power of a traditional combustion engine and the performance and safety of Hino you know and love.
Delivering up to 20%* fuel and emissions reductions, it's the first and only light-duty truck to meet Euro 6 exhaust emissions standards. Supporting multiple model variations right across the 300 Series Hybrid Electric range from the car licence 616 Standard Cab models through to the medium-duty 916 Wide Cab, which has a maximum Gross Vehicle Mass of 8.5 tonne. Customers also have the choice of a cost effective, versatile drive-away solution with Built to Go models also included within the range.
Powered by a 4 cylinder, common-rail injected turbo engine, in combination with the electric motor, delivering 150hp and 470Nm of torque and importantly the maximum torque is available at a very low 1200rpm, which helps reduce fuel use. It also features Hino SmartSafe comprehensive safety package.
No range limitations. Self-Charging.Australia relies heavily on the Transport and Logistics Industry, and given a lot of the open roads, range limitations is a key contention point when it comes to electric vehicles. This is where the Hino Hybrid Electric comes in. Powered by Toyota Group technology proven in over 15 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, the Hino Hybrid Electric is self-charging with no range limitations. The truck utilises an electric motor and a diesel engine working in parallel, intelligently applying both to boost efficiency.
How does the technology work?
When it comes to the overall power source, the kinetic energy from the moving vehicle is converted to useable power by the Hybrid motor upon deceleration. It is then stored in the batteries where it remains until the intelligent hybrid driveline determines a requirement for use during acceleration.
Conversion of the kinetic energy into electrical energy also acts as an auxiliary brake, reducing the reliance on the service brakes and dramatically increases the life of the brakes.
But what does all this mean and how does it actually work when the vehicle is in operation?
The start up of the diesel engine is performed by the hybrid motor, once in acceleration, the electric motor moves the vehicle from a standstill.
When in a constant cruising speed, the Hybrid system switches to diesel engine only as this is its most fuel-efficient state. Once the driver lifts off the accelerator, the hybrid electric motor switches to generator mode and acts as an auxiliary brake by converting the kinetic energy into electric power. Want more detail? Click here to view the demonstration.
Up to 20%* fuel savings. More time on the road.
Real world customer trials involving a 300 Series 616 Hybrid operating in a refrigerated delivery application, resulted in a 22% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the conventional diesel engine model.
For this customer, the potential savings equate to $4,000 per annum in fuel per truck, and up to 5.1 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
When it comes to savings, this is further evident with some recent comparison drives from industry journalists, including Geoff Middleton at Trucksales.com. He compared the 300 Series Diesel against the Hybrid Electric. He immediately noted the extra 50Nm torque, from the Diesel’s 420Nm to the Hybrid’s 470Nm. They put the Hybrid through its paces over two days, with some rigorous stop-start driving in a simulated pick-up, drop-off delivery type scenario, along with some highway and freeway runs. Geoff says they in fact found a 29% better fuel economy in the Hybrid Electric compared to the straight diesel. ‘Pretty compelling’ in his words.
Testament to the performance and savings are the sales of the Hino Hybrid Electric. From single digits to double from 2021, this year exceeds with reaching triple numbers. With close to 1000 on the road, the shift is astounding.
Further Benefits of Hino Hybrid Electric.
Like all Hino products, Hino Hybrid trucks are supported by Hino Advantage, a suite of business solutions that are designed to reduce costs over the vehicle's life, including:
- 5 Years Roadside Assist and 5 Years Warranty
- Capped Price Servicing
- Hino Genuine Parts
- Hino Finance and Customer Support.
Daniel Petrovski, Department Manager - Product Strategy for Hino Australia, said that “fuel is not the only reduced cost for Hybrid operators, customers can also reduce their yearly maintenance costs by up to 16%. Using the data from our real-world customer trial, a Hybrid can save up to $295 per month, $3,538 per year or $17,000 over a 5 year 240,000km lease.”
Some of the biggest automotive reviewers have also put the Hybrid Electric through its paces and all agree that it is something special.
Cobey Bartels from Go Auto says the Hybrid Electric “really shines in urban environments… where it lugs around sipping less diesel but without a noticeable compromise – in fact the torque spread is even better than a diesel.”
Graham Harsant from Big Rigs says “Like all other Hino trucks I’ve driven, this is a comfortable, well sorted truck and I climb out at days end feeling like I could go and do the drive all over again immediately.”
A high-quality, sustainable, and reliable truck that is backed by Toyota and doesn’t require recharging? It almost sounds too good to be true. If you’re after a ‘green’ option that saves you time, money and the environment it might be time to consider a Hino Hybrid Electric. It’s a change for the better.
For more information head to hino.com.au or visit your local dealer.
*Actual results will vary depending on the application of the vehicle and how it is driven.