Environmentally Friendly: Taking a look at the Hino Hybrid Diesel

It’s impossible to escape the movement towards environmentally friendly transportation. While we’ve been seeing hybrid family vehicles roll off the lot for some time now, the trucking industry has been a little behind the times with wide commercial availability of hybrid vehicles entering the market around 2004. For an industry that relies on fuel consumption,  that is constantly on the move and is relied on to move the products of other industries, it is fortunate that Hino and some other manufacturers have taken the leap towards sustainable transportation solutions.

The Class 5 2016 Hino 195h Diesel-Electric Hybrid cab-over  made quite the splash as it entered the pool of 2015 commercial grade trucks. Medium duty trucks are heavy, powerful vehicles. Being able to reap the benefits of lower fuel consumption without sacrificing power or productivity is the opportunity that Hino is affording their clients.  The creation of a diesel hybrid opens the doors to staggering savings on fuel consumption and is a significant achievement in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Take for example a truck that runs 32,000 km per year and gets 20L/100km (14 mpg), this vehicle will use 6,418 litres of fuel in a year. A comparable hybrid can reduce fuel consumption up to 30% reducing GHG emissions and reducing operation costs. On top of limiting fuel consumption and cutting costs, having an eco-friendly fleet can build a company branding/marketing platform that sets you aside from the competition, and actively contributes to the global efforts of sustainable resource consumption.

It’s single 36-kilowatt (48-horsepower) electric motor sits between the 4-cylinder, 210-hp 5L engine with a 6 speed automatic transmission. This makes the Hino a parallel hybrid with both the electric and diesel engines attached to the drive wheels. While like any vehicle, the Hino 195h may not be the ideal for any and all types of work; if your fleet finds itself frequently stuck in congested traffic, does more city than highways driving or remains fairly local, considering a hybrid is a viable business and environmentally conscious choice.   

The Hino 195h hybrid electric diesel truck continues to impress customers, reviewers and fleet operators every year. The 2016 195h has power windows and (optional) power locks, plenty of space for two in the cab, A/C, great visibility and more. A comfortable workspace is consistently recognized by Hino and adding a hybrid engine has not changed that.

With so much going for it, it’s no wonder that Hino is leading the medium duty hybrid truck market in Canada. It’s viable for businesses, great for the environment, your wallet and the comfort for your crew. As 2015 comes to a close I know I speak for all of us when I say I can’t wait to see what the innovative team at Hino does next!