In an exclusive interview with Fleet News Group about the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show, Hino Australia President & CEO Richard Emery spoke candidly about the brand’s hybrid success, the strong reception to its electric truck trial vehicle, and how the company is shaping its future product roadmap around real-world performance and sustainability.
Hybrid Innovation Leads the Charge
Hino’s stand this year carried the theme “Driven by Innovation, Powered by Sustainability” — and for good reason. Emery confirmed that the 300 Series Hybrid Electric range continues to exceed expectations.
“Interest in Hybrid Electric remains strong and we expect it to grow this year,” Emery told Fleet News Group. “In a significant effort within the first four months of the year, we are already at 64% of the total Hybrid Electric deliveries in 2024.”
According to Emery, what’s winning over customers is the measurable benefit in daily operation. “Achieving significant fuel and CO₂ reductions without compromising operational range or payload continues to be a key motivation for customers.”
In a recent Hino fuel efficiency test simulating typical urban delivery conditions, the 300 Series Hybrid delivered exceptional results. “We showed fuel savings of up to 24% in Wide Cab variants and 22% in Standard Cab. This reinforces our customers’ experiences,” Emery said.
Z-EV Draws Crowd Attention
Hino also displayed its Dutro Z-EV — an all-electric version of the 300 Series — but Emery was quick to clarify its purpose. “This is not a launch, nor a precursor to a model introduction. The 300 Series Z-EV is currently undergoing trial programs in Australia to determine its range and operational capacity,” he explained.
Despite being a test and trial vehicle, the Z-EV generated significant buzz on the stand.
“Interest in the Z-EV on our Brisbane Truck Show stand was really high from both customers and dealers,” Emery said. “We expect this to further increase as our trial program continues.”
The trials are being conducted with key customers, with a focus on whether the vehicle can deliver the right mix of performance and efficiency — without relying on government incentives.
“This will ensure that when the time comes in Australia for full-scale electric vehicles, Hino will have a product that meets our customers’ needs and specifications,” Emery stated.
Truck Show a Key Milestone in Hino’s Growth
The Brisbane Truck Show also coincided with a major delivery milestone for the company.
“Earlier in the year, Hino surpassed 150,000 deliveries in Australia, an important milestone that provides a marker to underpin our commitment to Australia and to our ongoing success while also shifting our focus forward to our next business horizon,” Emery shared.
He added, “It has been achieved with fit-for-purpose products centred on quality, technology and safety, supported by our partnerships with our loyal customers and dealer partners.”
And when it comes to events like the Brisbane Truck Show, Emery sees it as more than just an industry showcase. “The Brisbane Truck Show is an important opportunity for us to display our products while connecting with our customers and dealers,” he said.
Looking to 2027 and Beyond
Hino has already started the transition to Euro 6 compliance across its model line-up, with full compliance planned by the second half of 2026. Emery hinted that the 2027 edition of the Brisbane Truck Show will be a significant one for the brand.
“Without going into too much detail, it is fair to say that the 2027 Brisbane Truck Show will be the first public display of our full range of Euro 6 compliant products — so it will be a significant event for us,” he revealed.
With hybrid sales on the rise, electric trials underway, and a clear roadmap toward Euro 6, Hino Australia is quietly but confidently preparing for its next business horizon.
“Hybrid Electric is a compelling option for customers today based on the balance of cost, range and payload,” Emery concluded. “And when the time comes for full-scale EV adoption, we’ll be ready.”
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