Hydrogen cars to rent

Toyota’s Mirai becomes first FCEV available through a New Zealand rental fleet.

Posted on 18 August, 2026

Mayor Grant Smith, right, is handed the keys as the first rental customer for the Mirai at Palmerston North Airport from Deon Hoeksema, Ezi Car branch manager. Also pictured is Tatsuya Ishikawa, of Toyota NZ.

Business customers can rent a Toyota Mirai through Ezi Car Rental for the first time and see what it's like to go places with hydrogen.

The rental company has added three of the fuel-cell EVs (FCEVs) to its fleet at Palmerston North Airport. They are available for hire for up to two days by eligible corporate customers.

Powered by the Hiringa refuelling station near the airport, the Mirai is the first hydrogen vehicle available through a New Zealand rental fleet.

The Mirai is a second-generation hydrogen FCEV. It generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen and emits only water vapour. Each rental will have a range of 250km making it well-suited for business travel around the Manawatu.

The sedans are available for rental periods of up to two days.

Anthony Kearns, chief executive of Ezi Car Rental, says: “Most of our customers have never seen a hydrogen vehicle, let alone driven one. That’s why we wanted to be part of this.

“The Mirai is a special experience and renting one takes no more effort than hiring any other car with us. Once people try it, it will change how they think about travel.”

Operating 24 locations across New Zealand, including 18 airport sites, Ezi has the infrastructure and customer base to make hydrogen rental practical.

Tatsuya Ishikawa, chief executive officer of Toyota NZ, says the rental company, which became part of Toyota in 2023, is a natural partner in helping more people experience the company’s range of electrified and low-emissions vehicles.

The availability of the hydrogen-powered Mirai in the Manawatu follows the introduction of the battery electric bZ4X rental programme in Auckland.

Ishikawa says: “The best way to understand new technologies is to experience them first-hand. Whether it’s battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell, experiencing these vehicles helps people better understand the role they can play in New Zealand’s future transport mix.

“The Mirai is a premium car, it drives beautifully and making it available in the Manawatu is about putting that experience within reach of more New Zealanders.”

Toyota-trained technicians are on hand to support the Manawatu’s Mirai fleet. The marque has 17 Mirais to distribute around the country and the Manawatu fleet is expected to grow.