Hybrid truck

WM WASTE Services has added a hybrid truck to its fleet as the company looks to reduce its ecological footprint.
Cardinia Shire residents may even see the Prestige Hino 714 model as the municipality’s waste contractor continues green and hard waste collections over the coming month.
Stewart Nunn, of WM Waste Services operations team, said the truck came in handy when picking up smaller items or visiting Cardinia’s regional areas.
The hybrid has an electric motor with a regular diesel engine, resulting in reductions in emissions and about 30 per cent in fuel costs.
Mr Nunn said the truck had great fuel economy, getting 6 kilometres to each litre or 16 litres for every 100 kilometres.
“For a truck carrying a load the size it does that’s not bad,” he said.
Mr Nunn said it was far more efficient to use the hybrid than any of the company’s standard diesel trucks.
“The electrical motor is more of an assist,” he explained.
“Instead of a 4.0 litre or a 5.0 litre engine you only need a 3.0 litre.
“The electric motor becomes a generator when you take your foot off the accelerator.
“We use it mainly for complaints, when someone has put out rubbish on the wrong day.”
The electric motor acts as a starter motor for the diesel engine. The diesel engine shuts down when the truck has stopped and restarts when it’s on the go.
Despite a smaller engine, Mr Nunn said the hybrid still had plenty of pulling power and was used to pick up items such as fridges and tyres.
“It’s got a lot of power in it,” he said.