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TNT, Tesco, DHL and the Royal Mail are among several high-profile companies about to embark on hybrid truck trials in the UK. Each operator has purchased its own Mitsubishi Canter Eco Hybrid 7.5-tonner (albeit subsidised by Mercedes-Benz), which will go into service in London in early 2008. The performance of the vehicles will be closely monitored by the operator and Mercedes-Benz. Transport for London is also involved, and will oversee the three-year trial.

The trucks are Japanese specification,  and are almost identical to hybrid Canters already in operation with DHL in Tokyo. They feature a parallel hybrid system, with 145hp 3-litre engine and Inomat automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz UK truck boss Ian Jones explains that the only significant difference is that they have been adapted to comply with Euro 4 rather than the latest Japanese emissions regulations.

He explains that when Mercedes-Benz first approached the British government with a view to carrying out the trial with Japanese spec vehicles, permission was granted on condition that they only carry test weights. Since this would have ruined the trial, Mercedes was forced to go to the expense of adapting the trucks to comply with Euro 4.  "I don’t understand it," says Jones. "It’s not like we are talking about dirty vehicles here. There’s only a gnat’s widget of a difference between European and Japanese emissions regulations."

The trucks are expected to achieve a 20% improvement in fuel economy  over regular 7.5-tonners, but Jones explains that fuel monitoring is only part of the trial. "We also want to determine what grants are available and what charges can be offset," he says. "Under normal circumstances we would expect the vehicles to pay for themselves after five to seven years, but in London this should be significantly quicker. "This trial is proof that large UK operators are prepared to make investments in green vehicles that may not be recouped."