“Hino Motors Japan and its worldwide distributor network are fully committed to carbon reduction with an ultimate objective of a zero situation and the company is using a mix of different solutions from battery electric to hybrid, hydrogen fuel cells and hydrogen as a combustible fuel. We will be part of this programme and the Hino 300 Hybrid will be our first step,” says Anton Falck, Vice President of Hino South Africa.
Popularity growing
The Hybrid Electric utilises an electric motor and a diesel engine that work in parallel. The truck can run on the electric motor alone, depending on the remaining power in the batteries.
The vehicle has been available in various international markets for some time. However, in markets such as Australia, it has only become popular of late.
Hino Australia has reported record sales of the truck in 2023. “Customer demand for lower emission vehicles plus an increased business focus have contributed to a rise in deliveries of over 400% year-on-year,” says Richard Emery, Vice President of Brand and Franchise Development for Hino Australia.
“2023 was a record year for Hybrid Electric – we delivered over 200 units, and we have an order bank of over 100. This increase is particularly impressive considering the average deliveries over the last five years was 35 per year. The Hybrid Electric light-duty truck has moved from a niche offering 15 years ago to a genuine purchase option for many fleets as it is the only Hybrid Electric product available in the market. It provides operators with a unique combination of lower operational costs, fuel savings, and emission reductions, while also meeting Euro 6 emissions compliance,” he points out.
Huge savings on the cards
During trials in Australia, the Hybrid Electric achieved a 22% reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions (versus its diesel counterpart). Hybrid Electric customers also benefit from a reduction in maintenance costs as the electric motor replaces the diesel engine’s starter motor and alternator, and the regenerative braking reduces the use of service brakes and increases the life of the brakes, all while charging the hybrid batteries.
Not surprisingly, these benefits have seen some major fleets in Australia snap up the truck. Last year, rental company SIXT became the first Australian-wide multi-franchise rental business to purchase Hybrid Electric trucks.
“We are very excited to take this next step with our most trusted and reliable partner, Hino Australia,” says Murari Rijal, SIXT Franchise Owner.
“The introduction of Hybrid Electric trucks to our fleet brings a positive impact on the environment and ensures cost savings for SIXT customers, especially during times of high interest rates and cost-of-living pressures,” he continues.
PFD Food Services – a company that began in 1943 and delivers dry goods, frozen and chilled products, fresh seafood and meat, confectionery, paper products and cleaning solutions – has also invested in a Hybrid Electric.
“PFD is excited to add a Hybrid Electric to our fleet – based on our location and operational requirements, we needed a vehicle with no range limitations, which is why the Hybrid Electric is the logical choice. It was an easy decision to combine reduced emissions with the excellent standard safety features of the Hino 300 Series,” says Steve Wright, National Fleet Manager for PFD Foods.
“We will use telematics to track and record the fuel savings of the Hybrid Electric, and will therefore be able to calculate our immediate reduction in emissions,” he adds.
South African tests
Prior to its limited introduction with key customers in November 2023, the Hybrid Electric has also been tested in South Africa. Namlog – a business that was established in 2002 and has since grown into a leading supply chain group – has been operating a pilot Hino 300 Hybrid. A back-to-back comparison between the Hybrid Electric and a normal 300-Series diesel over 100 to 200km trips in Gauteng, carrying an average load of 579kg, has delivered a fuel and emissions saving of about 20% in favour of the Hybrid Electric. Drivers have reported no difference between the two trucks in terms of the actual driving experience.
It will be interesting to see if South African transporters follow in the footsteps of their Australian counterparts when the truck is introduced here later this year.
