NOVI, MI - During a ceremony at the National Biodiesel Conference in Orlando on Feb. 7, Hino Trucks was recognized by the National Biodiesel Board with the 2012 "Eye on Biodiesel Impact Award."

The "I-Awards" represent the biodiesel industry's top honors, and are bestowed upon companies, groups or individuals who have helped carry the biodiesel torch, fostering understanding, mentoring others and encouraging broader use of this cleaner burning, sustainable fuel. Hino Trucks was nominated for an award this year for serving as a trailblazer among manufacturers as well as among hybrid truck manufacturers in supporting the use of B20 biodiesel blends.

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. Not only will Hino's COE 195h hybrid truck be a part of the event's Biodiesel Vehicle Showcase, but Hino was invited to be a part of 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 B20 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, VP 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 B-20 biodiesel, our customers now have an option for a commercially acceptable alternative fuel truck," added Ellis.

"Biodiesel, America's advanced biofuel, would not be what it is today without champions and supporters like the Eye on Biodiesel honorees," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. "We are proud to recognize these leaders from all facets of the biodiesel industry."

Additional information about biodiesel is available online at www.biodiesel.org.