Australia: Hino Hybrid introduced, completes 24-hour endurance trial
Click image for high-res gallery
This week in Australia, Hino unveiled its very first hybrid truck to the masses at the Queensland truck and machinery Show. The Hino Hybrid uses a parallel setup that combines a 4.0-liter 110kW (150 hp) four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel with a 23kW electric motor. According to Hino, the setup is good for a 20 percent reduction in fuel use compared to a conventionally-powered truck, a 25 percent cut in CO² emissions, and that NOx emissions can be slashed by up to 50 percent thanks to the engine's stop-start system.
The truck has already completed a 24-hour marathon drive through the streets of Brisbane while hauling 500kg of cargo. It achieved 21.5 mpg (10.9 liters/100km) during the trial, and was ultimately named Truck of the Show. The first customer for the Hino Hybrid is Australia Post, which has taken delivery of two of the trucks.
Press release after the jump.
Gallery: Hino Hybrid
[Source: Hino Australia]
PRESS RELEASE:
HINO HYBRID EXCELS IN 24-HOUR TRIAL
The world's first hybrid truck has set a fuel economy standard of 10.9 litres/100km in a 24-hour endurance trial in Brisbane. The Hino Hybrid covered 512 kilometres of inner-city driving as part of the Hino Hybrid Marathon, passing through 2349 traffic lights in an epic of stop-start motoring. It carried a 500kg payload, similar to that which would be utilised by many users, especially in the rental market.
The Hino Hybrid Marathon finished at the Brisbane Truck Show when the vehicle was driven onto Hino's display by rally champion Greg Carr, accompanied by Hino Australia chairman John Conomos AO. Hino launched the hybrid truck at the show and has already made its first delivery of two vehicles to Australia Post.
The Hino Hybrid combines a 110kW common-rail, direct-injection diesel engine with a 23kW electric motor. The electric motor supplements the engine by providing additional power and, most importantly, in conjunction with the battery, storing and using excess energy from the engine and from heat generated during braking.
Hino claims a fuel saving of 20 per cent over conventional vehicles and a reduction in CO2 emissions of better than 25 per cent. A new exhaust catchment and filtration system reduces particulate emissions by 85 per cent.
"The hybrid system was designed to work to its maximum in stop-start urban conditions, and the marathon has proved its effectiveness," Hino Australia chief operating officer Steve Lotter said.
"The Marathon drive team encountered approximately 15 per cent red lights, and each time the hybrid system shut down and restarted the motor, saving valuable fuel and reducing emissions.
"On average, the vehicle was stationary 15 times each hour, but instead of idling and therefore wasting diesel it was able to neutralise fuel use and emissions."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
A.Brien 12:01AM (5/20/2007)
I think that hybrid technology is more useful in
big and medium trucks that do a lot in town and traffic. But for a sport car nitro-methane is the
best for now, they use it in top fuel acceleration.
Reply
Don 4:57PM (5/21/2007)
I guess that's pretty good for a truck of this type, right? 21.5 mpg?
Reply