Hino To Roll Out Dutro Hybrid Truck In Australia
14 January 2007
 |
| The Dutro hybrid. |
Nikkei. Hino Motors, the Toyota subsidiary focused on commercial vehicles, will introduce its diesel-electric Dutro Hybrid truck in Australia this month as part of its broader effort to increase overseas sales based on the global trend for tighter emission standards.
Hino’s move would mark the first hybrid offering from a Japanese truck maker outside of their home market. Despite the higher price, Hino sees adequate demand for fuel-efficient trucks as tougher emission rules become the norm worldwide.
 |
| Hino Hybrid System |
Hino introduced the Dutro Hybrid in November 2003, and released a new model last year. The hybrid now combines a 4.0-liter 100 kW (134 hp) diesel engine that develops 353 Nm (260 lb-ft) of torque with a 36 kW, 350 Nm electric motor and a 288V NiMH battery pack. (The earlier Dutro Hybrid featured a larger engine and smaller motor. Earlier post.)
Hino expects the new Dutro Hybrid to offer fuel consumption of about 10 liters/100 km, or 23.5 mpg US.
A local shipping firm in Australia has already decided to replace its truck fleet with the Dutro Hybrid, which offers loading capacities of 2-4 tons. Hino aims to sell about 100 units in Australia in the first year. Hino sold about 1,000 units of the Dutro Hybrid in Japan last year.
~20 mpg is pretty good for a box truck. These are primarily use as delivery vehicles They supply shops, supermarkets, and restaurants with goods, as well as deliver bulky items to front doors.
Posted by: allen_XL_Z | 14 January 2007 at 02:52 PM
In terms of global fuel consumption, it is better that we get the hybrids into delivery trucks* which are engaging in stop / start driving all day than into "trophy" Prius's that are driven once into work and once back per day.
* and taxis.
Posted by: mahonj | 14 January 2007 at 11:42 PM
Mahoni,
I think it is better to get low fuel consumption vehicles into the hands of all those that are willing to pay the up front premium for them.
Posted by: Bill Young | 15 January 2007 at 04:26 AM
Now if Toyota would only put this hybrid diesel into their new tundra--for the US market.
Posted by: jeff | 15 January 2007 at 06:28 AM
Jeff,
Toyota announced a gasoline hybrid Tundra will be available by 2010. Perhaps a diesel version will come online afterwards.
Posted by: allen_XL_Z | 15 January 2007 at 07:35 AM
"In terms of global fuel consumption, it is better that we get the hybrids into delivery trucks* which are engaging in stop / start driving all day than into "trophy" Prius's that are driven once into work and once back per day."
First, please document.
Second, what makes you think people are just using their Prii to get back and forth to work.
Third. Why does it have to be either/or.
Fourth. Actually, it would be better if people were not driving at all to get back and forth to work.
Since you brought up the delivery truck issue, it would be better if people had their goods delivered rather than go shopping. It is better to deliver goods with one truck to 20 people than have 20 people go to and from the store separately to get their goods. In the future, Wal Mart will be just a warehouse which will deliver via internet orders. At least, I think, that would be a much improved and more efficient future. In addition, the Wal Marts of the world would save on heating and cooling costs.
Posted by: t | 15 January 2007 at 07:35 AM
T,
Like the third point.
_I had a similar idea. However, it was to upstage Wal-Mart, not modify it. You receive a catalogue and/or go online to shop. There are high definition demonstration videos, and photos for a detailed look at a product. Links to websites with professional reviews, and consumer reviews are part, some with video clips. Store/warehouse pickup is available. All this provides a more immersive shopping experience.
_It would collaborate with other store/warehouses in coop fashion, with scale of economy benefits. Small business may benefit by networking with, or linking to it. Some personnel will be former shop owners/workers, the Big Box ran out of business.
_An alternate version would have a series of existing commercial strips, work off a common supply chain, again with scale of economy. The small/medium sized shops/stores would work somewhat in concert, as a version of a Mega store, stretched out over blocks.
_Depending on driving profile, diesels may be comparable to full hybrids. If you spend most of time cruising on the highway, it may be worth going with a diesel. If stop and go is the supermajority, full hybrid. This is assuming you can a B, or C segment efficient clean diesel.
Posted by: allen_XL_Z | 15 January 2007 at 09:00 AM
Allen XL Z,
I heard that somewhere. Do you have any facts. Thanks
Posted by: jeff | 15 January 2007 at 09:18 AM
Jeff,
I probably should made the caveat of vehicle availability more pronounced. In Europe, my statement would be true. In the US, with few diesel vehicles due to emission restrictions, not true, except perhaps in one case.
_My2007 Mercedes Benz E320 BlueTec (26/37) vs MY2007 Lexus GS 450h (25/28). It is not the perfect comparison, since the Benz is (200+ lb) lighter, and a bit slower 0-60 (Lexus 5.55sec vs Benz 6.6sec). If the two had roughly the same weight and power, the GS likely wins the City mpg, while the E320 takes the Highway.
_Of course, these are luxury models, but the two are of comparabe design philosophy and targeted market segment (luxury performance sedans).
BTW, the E320 is also a bit cheaper.
Posted by: allen_XL_Z | 15 January 2007 at 12:01 PM
Jeff -
if someone really needs a full-size pick-up truck for commercial use, they should indeed look for a diesel. Preferably one with a VGT turbo, cylinder deactivation and a DPF.
By contrast, the additional cost of adding a full electric hybrid system on top of the diesel probably makes no sense in terms of TCO as long as US diesel is still as cheap as it is.
Put another way: if you really want a hybrid system in your full-sized truck, perhaps you should think about whether you really need a full-sized truck at all. Picking the smallest vehicle that will get the job done remains the most effective way to improve fuel economy.
---
Btw, wrt the Hino: there was a big push in Tokyo prefecture some years back for manufacturers to clean up their diesels or, to get them off the road altogether. Hybridization is one way to reduce PM emissions during load transients, which are very frequent in stop-and-go traffic.
Note that diesel is more expensive in Japan (~$4.50 per gallon) than in the US, but less so than in most European countries (especially the UK):
http://library.iea.org/Textbase/stats/surveys/mps.pdf
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 15 January 2007 at 02:37 PM
Looks great, when can I take delivery? We have converted half of our passenger fleet to Escapes and Prius', but I don't have many option on our medium trucks. I need to order two aerial lifts which need 15k GVWR chassis and these would be perfect.
As for your debate, our average medium truck does 30k miles at 10mpg (diesel) which means 3000 gal/year. While converting from an Explorer to an Escape saved some fuel, the big winner would be doubling the mileage on our big trucks. Doubling the mileage would save 1500 gallons a year. Our Escapes only saved one third of that.
Posted by: Ed Newman | 11 May 2008 at 02:57 PM
Hello:
I would like to be your new contact at Kejia Office Products ( Mfg ) Co.(Tianjin of China)!
Kejia established in 1988, it’s one of the earlier manufacturer to exporting our parts to America, Europe, Middle East, Japan, etc.
We specialize in Printer Parts including: Transfer Roller, Fuser Roller, Charge Roller, Pickup Roller, Delivery Roller, Heating Element, Heat Bushing, fuser film sleeve, Lower Roller, Gear, Separation Pad, Separation Claw, Picker Finger, Thermistor, Maintaince Roller Kit etc.
I have attached a current stock list---Please take a moment to look at our inventory. For more details, please do not hesitate to contact us now. We enter the international market by means of our faithful quality as well as the long time credit standing.
More over we attended the exhibition of Recharger Magazine’s World Expo by every year, maybe we were met before.
Welcome to visit our factory.
Best regards!
Lily Sun
Tianjin Kejia Office Products ( Mfg ) Co.
ADD:# 7, No. 2 Road, Hongliang Industrial Park, Chenglinzhuang Road, Dongli District, Tianjin, China
Tel: 86-22-24376798
Fax: 86-22-24377080
http://www.tj-kejia.com.cn
E-mail: kejia@public.tpt.tj.cn
MSN:tianjinkejia@hotmail.com
Posted by: kejia | 16 September 2008 at 10:08 PM