HINO South Africa has extended the local field trials of its Hino 300 Hybrid models, which are being conducted with selected customers. The hybrid model’s performance is being studied, and customer interest in acquiring new energy vehicles is being researched.
The Hino 300 hybrid vehicles use a 4-litre Euro 6 turbo-diesel engine, working in combination with an electric motor to reduce harmful emissions and improve fuel economy.
“The balance between cost, range, payload, maintenance and resale are all critical measures when determining what technology works best for specific applications and that is why we are trialling several Hino 300 Hybrid trucks with customers to evaluate these factors locally,” said Itumeleng Segage, general manager of Hino SA.
The first three eco-friendly Hino 300 Hybrids that came to South Africa have been on trial with Namlog Logistics since 2023, operating out of the Toyota Africa Parts Centre in Ekurhuleni as part of Toyota South Africa Motors’ New Energy Vehicle (NEV) strategy.
According to Hino SA, a recent 300 km test on the Bathurst race circuit and surrounding streets, replicating the conditions for a local delivery operation, showed fuel savings of up to 24% for the wide cab variants and 22% for the standard cab. The Hino 300 Hybrid is already proving popular in Australia as that country faces the challenge of Euro VI emission legislation being imposed from November this year.
A test run by journalists from GoAuto, an Australian motor industry publication, obtained similar fuel savings. In their case the saving was 21.1%, the company says.
Unlike many hybrid passenger cars which downsize engine capacity, Hino keeps the full-size diesel engine for this hybrid truck to ensure a long working life and under-stressed powertrain.
An electric motor is positioned between the clutch and gearbox, operating in parallel with the diesel engine to assist, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The diesel engine and electric motor combined produce 111 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque, with maximum torque delivered as low as 1 200 r/min. The truck uses a six-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), which can be manually overridden by the driver if required.
The hybrid model has the same standard features as the other 300 models, which include air conditioning, AM/FM radio, electric windows, two airbags, and daytime running lights.
“We are very enthusiastic about the value of hybrid technology in many of the operations that suit the 300 Series, such as urban and city-to-city deliveries. We are therefore keenly looking forward to the results of these local trials and the feedback from the customers who have them on loan,” said Segage.
Hino Motors of Japan has been involved for many years in programmes to cut emissions and lower fuel consumption as part of its commitment to a cleaner environment in both the manufacturing of its trucks and in their operation. This multi-pathway move towards carbon neutrality has resulted in Hino developing and testing a variety of power train solutions, ranging from compressed natural gas to hydrogen to diesel-electric hybrids and battery electric vehicles.
