Hino Australia has taken hybrid truck testing to new heights—literally—by staging a full-day real-world fuel efficiency trial at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst. The goal? To demonstrate how the Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric light-duty truck stacks up against its diesel equivalent in real-world conditions.
The result: a compelling case for hybrid electric technology in commercial fleet applications, with fuel savings reaching up to 29% and significant reductions in CO₂ emissions.
A Race Against Fuel Consumption, Not the Clock
Rather than simulating ideal test conditions, the Hino team created a delivery-style loop that mimicked the daily operation of a local courier truck. According to Daniel Petrovski, Hino’s Manager of Product Strategy, the idea was simple: “Reimagine the Bathurst 1000—but with delivery trucks, not Supercars.”
The 35-kilometre route began at Bathurst Airport and travelled to multiple destinations including the city centre, the regional works depot, and the sports stadium—before taking on the famous mountain circuit itself. Over eight laps, each vehicle clocked close to 300 kilometres—representative of a full day of suburban delivery work.
Test Conditions and Controls
To eliminate driver style as a variable, Hino used nine drivers, including professional and non-professional drivers, who rotated through the fleet. As Neil Crompton, motorsport commentator and host of the Hino Hub broadcast explained, “No matter who drove both the hybrid electric or the diesel model, individually, they all achieved better economy driving the Hino hybrid electric.”
Each of the four trucks (two standard cab, two wide cab; each with a diesel and a hybrid version) were fitted with Hino-Connect telematics. This system collected real-time data including fuel use, braking events, time spent in optimal operating zones, and over-revving.
The Results: Real Fuel Savings and More
The test revealed clear and consistent benefits for hybrid electric trucks. The standard cab hybrid saved 10 litres of fuel over the diesel model across the 295 km journey, while the wide cab hybrid saved even more.
By the end of the test:
- Fuel savings averaged 3.5L/100km for hybrid electric models
- Efficiency gains reached up to 29%
- Hybrid trucks travelled 1.7km further per litre
- One truck showed a 22% average fuel saving despite carrying ballast to replicate full GVM
- Hybrids required no refuelling during the test, despite a smaller tank
When extrapolated over real-world operations, the savings add up significantly:
- $110 per week in fuel savings per vehicle
- $5,500 annually
- $38,500 over seven years
“This is just one truck,” Petrovski noted. “If a customer runs 10 of these vehicles, that’s $385,000 in savings. That’s huge.”
Business-First Approach to Sustainability
Rather than pushing electrification for image alone, Hino’s message is squarely aimed at commercial fleet buyers seeking real return on investment.
“Transport operators in our market are actually looking at a return on investment—not just being a marketing tool for the green image of their company,” Petrovski said.
He added that while full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are part of Hino’s long-term strategy, hybrid electric offers a more versatile, scalable solution today. With no range limitations and no reliance on public charging infrastructure, hybrid technology fits seamlessly into existing operations.
“You get electrification with no compromise on payload, no range anxiety, and lower emissions—all while cutting costs.”
Hybrid: Here and Now
Hino’s test not only underscores the hybrid’s commercial value, it also challenges preconceived notions about where hybrid electric is best suited. As Petrovski pointed out, “This isn’t the type of environment you’d expect to see a hybrid in. But it’s proving the hybrid can suit any application in Australia.”
That flexibility is critical in a diverse market where urban congestion, regional delivery, and payload requirements vary dramatically.
Backed by Toyota’s proven hybrid technology and supported by local engineering and testing, the Hino 300 Series Hybrid Electric is carving out a compelling middle ground for fleets seeking both cost efficiency and lower emissions.
Final Verdict
Whether you’re an owner-driver or running a national fleet, Hino’s Bathurst trial sends a clear message: hybrid electric trucks are ready for real-world duty, right now. And with fuel prices unlikely to drop significantly any time soon, the business case for switching to hybrid is stronger than ever.
As Neil Crompton summed it up from the Hino Hub: “No matter your driving style or fleet size, the savings and environmental benefits of a Hino hybrid electric are impossible to ignore.”
