THE PORT of Townsville has acquired North Queensland's first hybrid truck as part of a strategy to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
The Hino Hybrid truck combines diesel and electric engines to reduce fuel consumption and resulting emissions.
Port of Townsville Limited Chairman Ross Dunning said the Corporation adopted Hino's latest-generation 714 Hybrid truck primarily for its green credentials, particularly the hybrid truck's reduced emissions.
While not part of a formal environmental policy, the hybrid adoption aligns the Port with the Queensland Government's climate change strategy to support industry providing traditional vehicle alternatives.
Dunning said that Hino's hybrid truck is a readily accessible way corporations can practically improve their environmental performance, being a proven technology that effectively reduces emissions without operational penalties.
Hino claims that compared with a diesel-only equivalent the 714 Hybrid truck achieves up to 72 per cent less carbon monoxide emissions, an 87 per cent reduction in particulate matter and a decrease in nitrogen oxide.
The 714 Hybrid's resulting emission levels are better than Euro 5 Standards, claims Hino.
Dunning said another key feature of the Hybrid truck was its regenerative braking system.
The regenerative system recovers kinetic energy from the truck's braking force motion and converts it into electricity, which is used to power the truck's electric motor.
A charge lamp illuminates during deceleration to indicate regenerative braking energy recovery is occurring.