Hino Trucks rolled out electric versions of its M- and L- Series medium-duty trucks, which will be branded as the Me Series and Le Series. To be available in 2024, production of the trucks will integrate SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive power system. The models will have battery capacities of 138kwH and 220kwH, respectively.

The new Hino Class 5 M5e cabover and Class 6 L6e conventional models were rolled out at a press conference on March 8 during the NTEA Work Truck show in Indianapolis.

Eye Out for 2024 Clean Truck Mandates

“Starting in 2024, Advanced Clean Truck mandates will start to kick off in California, growing the demand for electric vehicles, and many of our customers want to add EVs to evaluate operational capabilities,” said Hino Trucks President Glenn Ellis.

“Over the past several years, we have made significant strides in the push toward electrification,” he continued. “This strategic collaboration with SEA Electric is part of our plan to provide powertrain options to meet the needs for our customers and markets throughout the United States.”

Ellis pointed out that the development of these medium-duty EVs is “all part of our strategy to meet our customers’ demands for both clean diesel and battery-electric vehicles.”

EV Infrastructure and Support

Hino also announced it is building infrastructure to support these trucks with Hino InclusEV, a “premier portfolio of end-to-end electric vehicle enablement” that will be exclusively available through Hino's dealer network.

Hino InclusEV includes customer EV consulting, intelligent charging solutions, warrantied infrastructure, Hino electric trucks in production, 24/7 customer service, and what Hino described as the industry’s first complete bundled financing product.

This portfolio approach is supported by various partnerships, including with ChargePoint, EnTech Solutions, and Mitsubishi HC Capital America. The goal of Hino InclusEV is to “simplify and accelerate the transition to EVs by providing the best customer experience from first interest through ownership and maximizing ROI,” according to Hino.

"Hino Trucks is committed to delivering vehicles that provide our customers a sustainable option," said John Donato, senior vice president of sales and marketing. "With the support of Hino Edge telematics metrics and driver behaviors, we developed our strategy and best fit for our initial EV vocational offerings to include delivery and final-mile applications.

“We've got the vehicles. We've got the support. We've got all the tools needed to help our current and future customers move closer to a cleaner future."

Hino is also in talks with Hexagon Purus about heavy-duty Class 8 electric truck production.