The National Biodiesel Board presented the 2012 “Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award” to Hino Trucks for serving as a “trailblazer” among manufacturers, as well as among hybrid truck manufacturers, in supporting the use of B-20 biodiesel blends.

The “I-Awards” represent the biodiesel industry’s top honors, and are bestowed upon companies, groups, or individuals who have helped encourage broader use of alternative fuel.

Hino Trucks was honored in the Impact category by becoming the first manufacturer to support the use of B-20 biodiesel blends in a hybrid-electric truck, as well as in its complete product line of class 6 and 7 conventional trucks. Hino’s COE 195h hybrid truck was part of the 2013 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo’s Biodiesel Vehicle Showcase, and also participate in a general session OEM panel entitled, “The Future is Unwritten: Energy Policy, Diesel Technology, and B-20,” as well as the technical session discussing “Biodiesel Engines of Today and the Future – Development of Super High Efficiency Diesel Engines.”

All 2011 and later model conventional trucks powered exclusively with Hino’s proprietary J-Series engines are approved to use B-20 biodiesel blends that contain biofuel blend stock (B-100) compliant to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6751, and blended fuel compliant to ASTM D975. B-20 biodiesel meeting these standards is also approved for use in Hino’s newly announced diesel and diesel-electric hybrid cab overs due to enter the market late this summer.

“It is our strong commitment to design and assemble trucks that are at the forefront of environmental friendliness and that help to reduce our overall dependency on foreign oils,” said Glenn Ellis, vice president of marketing and dealer operations for Hino Trucks. Hino offers the only class 6 and 7 conventional truck to meet the stringent 2010 EPA emission requirements without the use of credits.

“By offering the class 5 market a diesel-electric hybrid cab over that can use up to B20 biodiesel, our customers now have an option for a commercially acceptable alternative-fuel truck,” Ellis added.