Hino unveils truck refrigeration first

Hino has announced details of a ground-breaking new truck refrigeration system that uses hybrid drivetrain technology and requires no auxiliary engine

Japanese truck manufacturer Hino has teamed up with automotive parts heavyweight Denso Corporation to produce a new truck refrigeration system it claims is a world first.

The refrigeration system is powered by a hybrid drivetrain that operates the unit’s compressor both while the truck is driving and when it’s braking, doing away with the need for an auxiliary engine.

The system is making its international debut in Japan this month (February, 2014) on the heavy-duty Hino Profia (known in Australia as the 700 Series).

Hino says the innovative system improves fuel economy and offers more consistent refrigeration performance and quieter running. The lack of an auxiliary engine saves around 150kg alone, while Hino says the new system has fewer parts, simplifying maintenance and set-up.

A stand-by unit plugs into an external power source to maintain refrigeration when the truck’s engine is shut down for prolonged periods; it can also pre-freeze the truck via a programmable timer function.

According to Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product Strategy, Marketing and Customer Care, Alex Stewart, the system underlines Hino’s commitment to exploring new technologies.

“While Hino’s hybrid technology has been improving truck fuel economy for some time, Hino’s engineers are constantly looking for better ways to improve the efficiency and performance of its vehicles,” he said.

“The fuel savings resulting from this innovation means that the new Hino Profia’s (700 Series) fuel efficiency beats Japan’s 2015 standards by five per cent, and the reduced ongoing running costs from simplifying the refrigeration system will make for an even better cost-performance proposition for owners and operators.”

Hino unveils truck refrigeration first

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