MITSUBISHI is launching the world’s first diesel/electric hybrid truck in Japan in July, which is a prelude to offering the technology in smaller commercial vehicles.

The Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid features a four cylinder 3.0-litre Euro IV diesel engine pumping out 125bhp and 213lb-ft of torque while the electric motor mated to it adds an extra 147lb-ft of torque.

The gearbox is a five-speed automatic while the Canter also boasts Mercedes-Benz’s stop-start system which cuts the engine out after three seconds idling and is aimed at further improving fuel economy. The price is £5,900 more than a standard Canter.

Tests in Japan so far have shown fuel savings of 30%.

DaimlerChrysler, which owns 90% of Mitsubishi Fuso, believes the technology will be used in vans such as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and Sprinter.

A DaimlerChrysler CV spokesman said: ‘A lot of other manufacturers may be talking about hybrid power but we have a vehicle here and now which is about to go on sale.

‘We showed it off at the CV Show in April and it produced a huge amount of interest. One major supermarket chain has been assessing this vehicle and a lot of smaller fleets have also been asking about it.’

Trevor Gelken, editor of our sister title Fleet Van, was the first British journalist to test drive the new hybrid Canter. Read his report in next week’s Fleet News.