An independent fuel consumption test has confirmed the huge potential in fuel savings of Hino Hybrid trucks, delivering a 21 per cent reduction in both fuel used and carbon-dioxide emissions.
As another step in the evolution of their successful online grocery business, Coles initiated the independent trial to gauge the fuel savings that could be achieved with Hino’s new generation Hybrid truck.
Coles Online and the Green Truck Partnership conducted a fuel comparison on local delivery runs in the Sydney metropolitan area, using a Hino Hybrid 616 Short AMT and a Hino 616 Short Auto diesel truck.
Based on the trial results a fleet of 50 trucks, each covering 650km per week, could save nearly $160,000 a year in fuel costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 tonnes over 12 months.
Coles Online National Customer Delivery Manager Iain McLean said the Green Truck Partnership team fitted both wide-cab Hino trucks with data recorders and tested them for four weeks on like routes around metropolitan Sydney.
“Specific information was collected on the time spent idling, average speed and the number of stops per kilometre travelled,” he said.
“The data from the two trucks was validated daily and any data where the driving cycles of the two trucks was markedly dissimilar was excluded from the results.”
Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex Stewart, said Hino Hybrid trucks offer impressive fuel savings with no penalty in additional service costs.
“Hino’s new-generation 300 Series Hybrid trucks have exactly the same regular service intervals and service times as Hino’s conventional diesel trucks,” he said.
“Indeed, Hino Hybrid operators should enjoy additional savings when compared with a diesel truck because the regenerative braking of the Hybrid model saves on wear to the friction brakes.
“The electrical components in the Hybrid system – the motor, inverter and 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery – are maintenance-free.
“The battery has an eight-year warranty and is also used in the Lexus RX 450h sports utility vehicle, thereby confirming its quality and durability,” he said.
The Green Truck Partnership is a New South Wales government initiative designed to provide real-world case studies for the Australian road-freight industry on the use of clean technologies and fuels.
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