HYBRID expertise would possibly appear to be a fleeting possibility because the world hurtles towards a battery electrical future, however for truck-maker Hino it’s a long-term resolution it has been refining since 2007, providing a compelling car-licence different to dual-cab utes for tradies and fleet operators.
Utilizing confirmed Toyota Group expertise for its parallel hybrid system, the Hino 300 Sequence Hybrid is claimed to ship gas consumption and emissions reductions of as much as 20 per cent – which GoAuto not too long ago put to the check in Sydney – in addition to lowered upkeep prices.
Not like many hybrid passenger automobiles that downsize engine capability, Hino stored the full-size diesel engine for its working truck fashions to assist guarantee an extended working life and under-stressed powertrain.
An electrical motor is sandwiched between the clutch and gearbox, working in parallel with the diesel engine to supply help that results in improved effectivity and lowered carbon dioxide emissions.
The N04C four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, mixed with the electrical motor, produces 111kW and 470Nm with most torque developed from as little as 1200rpm.
All hybrid Hino fashions are coupled to a six-speed automated guide transmission (AMT) that’s slower swapping cogs than a conventional computerized, however acquainted to truck drivers. If added operator management is required, the AMT may be manually overridden.
How does this translate into lowered operating prices? After our back-to-back check drive of diesel and hybrid Hino 300 vehicles, the crew at Hino HQ was forthcoming in sharing the drive information from the on-board telematics and our expectations had been exceeded.
In an age of inflated fuel-use claims and exaggerated vary numbers, Hino has clearly erred on the aspect of warning.
Throughout 142km of driving (loaded), throughout which the diesel 300 trailed the Hybrid 300, we returned a gas use determine of 11.1 litres per 100km. By comparability, the diesel mannequin used 13.6L/100km.
This equates to a 21.2 per cent gas effectivity enchancment throughout the day, exceeding Hino’s official declare of 20 per cent. A typical driver would journey twice so far as we did in a day, so the financial savings could be important throughout, say, a yr.
Hino Australia product technique supervisor, Daniel Petrovski advised GoAuto that 300 hybrid clients can “scale back yearly upkeep prices by as much as 16 per cent” in contrast with the diesel equal.
Utilizing the electrical motor as a starter motor and alternator all-in-one contributes to those financial savings as a result of these ancillaries do ultimately fail on conventional vehicles, and the regenerative braking goes an extended solution to preserving brake pads.
Based mostly on our effectivity saving throughout the day, when factoring in a median of 45,000km pushed every year and a median diesel price of $2 per litre, the hybrid affords a $2147 gas invoice saving, whereas additionally emitting 2877kg much less CO2 than its diesel-only sibling.
The month-to-month gas price saving alone is $179, which coupled with Hino’s claimed decrease upkeep prices and the lowered CO2 emissions, the hybrid 300 might be a compelling possibility for these contemplating a greener truck.
Nevertheless, at a listing value of $74,209 for the hybrid 300 we drove and $57,574 for the equal diesel mannequin (each earlier than on-road prices), the electrified possibility comes at a premium of $16,635.
This doesn’t look like dissuading clients, although. Round 700 Hino hybrids are on Australian roads at current however Mr Petrovski advised GoAuto that the corporate already has 300 orders to this point this yr in comparison with a median of fifty in earlier years.
“By the tip of the yr, there can be over 1000 on the street and that may get to 1500 fairly shortly,” he mentioned.
As gas costs proceed to climb, the sunshine truck finish of city is turning into extra conscious of the {dollars} they throw at diesel.
Whereas battery electrical autos (BEV) are prone to be the way forward for light- and medium-duty industrial autos, Hino says the hybrid 300 is the most effective bridging resolution for “proper now” with none of the driving vary limitations current with BEVs.
The most recent era 300 additionally scores Hino’s full suite of SmartSafe security expertise with pre-collision system, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and extra.
Earlier this yr, Hino bolstered the 300 Sequence vary with ‘Constructed to Go’ fashions, basically providing a pre-built vary of real physique sorts together with varied factory-backed tipper and tray physique choices.
The Hybrid 300 TradeAce wide-cab mannequin we drove was fitted with a real Hino aluminium tray, ladder racks and a bullbar, optioned with a 4495kg GVM permitting it to be pushed with a automobile licence. The sticker value on one in every of these is $74,209 earlier than on-road prices, or much like a high-end dual-cab 4×4 ute.
Relying on utility, the Hybrid Hybrid 300 Sequence vary may be optioned with as much as an 8500kg GVM, however the 4495kg GVM mannequin we examined nonetheless affords a wholesome 1945kg payload – eclipsing that of well-liked 4×4 dual-cab utes.
“The introduction of the brand new alloy tray and TradeAce Constructed to Go fashions to our Hybrid Electrical vary affords clients a top quality, price efficient and versatile drive-away resolution that may scale back enterprise working prices from day one,” mentioned Mr Petrovski.
So how does the hybrid drive in comparison with its diesel 300 Sequence stablemate?
Driving impressions
We spent numerous time within the outgoing Hybrid 300 Sequence in 2019, which inspired us with its frugal gas use and easy operation.
In 2020, Hino launched the brand new mannequin with a variety of practical upgrades like a six-speed AMT, revised hybrid system operation and extra security tech. Let’s see the way it compares.
Leaving Hino’s head workplace in Caringbah with precisely one tonne of sand within the tray, we navigated heavy visitors earlier than reaching the motorway and certain for the Jap Suburbs to check the Hybrid on a drive route indicative of typical commerce use.
The six-speed transmission affords a decrease first gear and taller sixth in contrast with the previous mannequin’s five-speed unit, which improves efficiency from a standstill in addition to at freeway speeds.
Throughout stop-start driving the truck may even now speed up, beneath mild throttle, off the mark utilizing electrical energy solely. As soon as required, the clutch {couples} the diesel motor to the driveline and it awakens from idle.
We experimented with how far we may get on electric-only energy, reaching 20-30km/h earlier than the diesel got here into play. The transition was fairly seamless however noticeable in how quiet it’s off the road.
It is a new function, which in city stop-start driving affords an environment friendly take-off that contributes to the improved gas economic system. The stop-start engine shutoff helps too, and the electrical motor each doubles as a starter motor and replaces the alternator.
What stays the identical throughout mannequin generations we’ve examined, is that in regular driving the engine actually lugs; working at such low revolutions it feels prefer it’s about to stall. That’s regular, although, as a result of the electrical motor is busy serving to the diesel engine propel the Hybrid 300.
One other fuel-saving function that feels a bit of uncommon at first, is the coast perform that disengages the clutch when coasting – successfully dropping into ‘angel gear’ – immediately reengaging when energy is required.
The little 300 feels higher on the freeway than it ever has, in all probability because of the taller sixth gear and coast perform, with a quiet and comfy cabin.
It actually shines in city environments although, the place it lugs round sipping much less diesel however with no noticeable compromise – the truth is the torque unfold is even higher than a diesel-only 300 Sequence.
When you’ve received your head across the variations in driving behaviour, with issues just like the coast perform, low working RPM, and electric-only take-off, it’s an pleasant truck to be in.
We didn’t manually shift the AMT at any level throughout the day, even when climbing the hills out round Vaucluse or accelerating onto the motorway uphill. It’s a effectively sorted driveline that does what it says on the field.
