Hino's hybrid truck

TOYOTA’S Hino truck division launched the world’s first production hybrid truck in Australia last week.

Australia is the first market outside Japan to receive the Hino Hybrid, which is based on the 300 716 Medium model and priced from $60,500.

According to the company, the price increase over a conventional model is comparable with the difference between a Toyota Prius and an equivalent passenger car.

The 6.5-tonne Hybrid truck combines a 110kW/392Nm 4.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a 23kW electric motor.

It is claimed to achieve up to 20 per cent better fuel economy and significantly lower emissions compared to a conventional truck.

Just 30 units are available in the initial allocation.