TNT, Tesco, DHL and the Royal Mail are among several high-profile companies who have embarked on hybrid truck trials in the UK. Each operator has purchased its own Canter Eco Hybrid 7.5 tonner, which went 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 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 a 145 hp 3 litre engine and Inomat automatic transmission.

The trucks are expected to achieve a significant improvement in fuel economy over regular 7.5 tonners, but Mercedes-Benz UK truck boss, Ian 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. 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."