Hino selects Australia’s SEA Electric to power medium duty electric trucks

Australian electric truck pioneer SEA Electric has signed an agreement to expand its partnership with Hino Trucks, a move which will see the company’s proprietary SEA-Drive power-system fitted to Hino’s medium duty electric trucks.

The agreement will see Hino Trucks offer an electric version of their M and L Series medium duty trucks branded Me Series and Le Series available in 2024, and SEA Electric’s SEA-Drive power system will be integrated during production.

The new Hino Class 5 M5e cab over and Class 6 L6e conventional models will come equipped with battery capacities of 138kwH and 220kwH respectively.

“Starting in 2024, Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) mandates are starting to kick off in California which are growing the demand for electric vehicles (EV), and many of our customers want to add EV’s to evaluate operational capabilities,” said Glenn Ellis, president of Hino Trucks

“Over the past several years, we have made significant strides in the push toward electrification. 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.”

Hino’s first advancement into zero emission vehicles in the medium-duty space was also done in partnership with SEA Electric, with the SEA-Drive 120a power system part of the company’s Project Z development pathway towards zero emissions vehicles.

“This is another monumental day for SEA Electric in our quest to electrify the world’s commercial fleets, and move to a zero emissions future,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric CEO and founder.

“Hino Trucks’ products are renowned the world over for their dependability and reliability, and we are proud to be a part of the next chapter of that story.”