VICSES And Hybrid Electric On Display For Hino At AFAC

The annual Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authority Council (AFAC) conference returns to Perth from 26-29 August 2025 with a Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES) Heavy Rescue Truck headlining the Hino Australia stand.

“On display will be a Hino 500 Series Standard Cab FE1424 crew cab with a unique SES-designed rescue body that is designed to transport five VICSES members and up to 2,000kg of equipment to road crash rescue, flood and storm events,” said Daniel Petrovski, Department Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia.

It is one of over 60 new Hino trucks that VICSES will soon add to its fleet, which is considered Australia’s largest road crash rescue network.  

VICSES is a volunteer-based organisation that provides emergency assistance to minimise the impact of emergencies in Victoria and is celebrating its 50th year in operation in 2025.

“The 500 Series Standard Cab features a proven A05-TD five litre four-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 240hp at 2,300rpm and 833Nm of torque at 1,400rpm – the torque is delivered across a low and wide RPM range which improves drivability and provides excellent hill-climbing performance,” continued Mr Petrovski.

Like all Hino trucks, the FE1424 features Hino SmartSafe, a comprehensive safety package that features driver assist technologies, which take an active focus on protecting the lives of drivers, passengers and other road users.

Hino SmartSafe includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD), Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Reverse Camera and a suite of other standard safety features.

“Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is available across the range of Hino trucks and is of particular interest to our fire and emergency services customers as tankers carrying liquids can be particularly vulnerable to rollovers,” he concluded.   

VSC continuously monitors the vehicles’ operation and can help prevent an incident in situations such as when a vehicle enters or exits a corner too fast.

Another feature of interest to emergency services and fire-fighting customers is Hino-Connect telematics which is standard fitment on all Hino medium-duty 500 Series and heavy-duty 700 Series trucks.

Hino-Connect provides customers with real-time performance data tracking, remote diagnosis of vehicle faults and a dedicated team of Hino-Connect specialists.

The stand will also feature a 300 Series 616 Hybrid Electric Cab Chassis, which delivers up to 22% in fuel savings and emissions reductions with no range or recharge restrictions.

“Our Hybrid Electric range meets Euro 6 emissions compliance and provides options from car-licenced 4.5 tonne GVM, up to the maximum light-rigid licenced 8 tonne GVM,” said Mr Petrovski.

“Hybrid Electric is an appealing choice for customers offering a practical balance of cost, range, and payload, along with the immediate, real-world savings and reduced operating costs,” said Mr Petrovski.

“Many of the visitors at AFAC also work or volunteer for other organisations that are looking for immediate fuel savings, and we know that a vehicle such as the Hybrid Electric will be of interest,” he concluded.

For more information, visit www.hino.com.au

The 500 Series Standard Cab is one of over 60 new Hino trucks that VICSES will soon add to its fleet