So, What’s a Hydrogen Powered Car Then?

Alright, you’ve probably seen stuff popping up about hydrogen cars in NZ, and might be wondering what they’re actually about. Basically, a hydrogen powered car is a vehicle that uses – you guessed it – hydrogen, instead of petrol or diesel. The trick is, it’s not like the old LPG conversions or anything. Instead, a hydrogen fuel cell takes hydrogen from its tank, mixes it with oxygen, and bosh – makes electricity to run an electric motor. Some even try burning hydrogen in regular engines, but most of the action is about fuel cells these days. All you get out the back is water vapour, no nasty exhaust fumes, even if you’re stuck in traffic on Anglesea or heading through the Hamilton Lake fog in July.

Hydrogen vs Pure Electric – What’s the Difference?

You might hear people call hydrogen cars ‘electric cars,’ and aye, they do run with electric motors. But here’s the main difference. The likes of a Hyundai Kona EV or a Nissan Leaf, they’ve got big batteries you charge up – run them off the house or a charger at The Base. But a hydrogen car, like a Toyota Mirai or even an older Honda Clarity, has a tank of hydrogen and a fuel cell making its own power as you drive. So you’re filling a tank rather than plugging in, but you’re still zipping along quietly, even when you’re stuck behind a bus in Dinsdale.

Where Can You Fill Up With Hydrogen?

Right now, this is the tricky part. If you’re used to rolling through the BP on Te Rapa Road or grabbing a pie out at Ngaruawahia, hydrogen’s not as easy as fuel or even EV charging. At the moment, the main public hydrogen station in NZ is up at Hyundai in Auckland, mainly so they can run their Nexos. They use bottled hydrogen, pump it in at high pressure – but it costs a bit, to be honest. Good news is, Hiringa Energy and Waitomo Group are putting in the hard yards to set up 20 stations across the country, North and South Island, so maybe before too long, places like Cambridge or Morrinsville might have one too.

Why Bother with Hydrogen Cars?

Lot of reasons, actually:

  • Chucks out hardly any greenhouse gases, so it’s better for the planet – and your conscience when you’re crawling through Hillcrest at school run time.
  • Reliable as – fewer moving parts than a petrol engine.
  • They’re more energy efficient than combustion engines.
  • Pushes development for more renewable energy.
  • Less need to import oil, which is always good when you see fuel prices jump overnight in Hamilton East.
  • Cleaner, so better air around the Uni or the lake – especially handy for the asthmatics!
  • Dead quiet on the road. No engine rumble bugging you on that Sunday run to Raglan.
  • Fast ‘refueling’ – just a few minutes to fill, not hours like some EVs.
  • Decent range too: just shy of 500km per tank, some even more. That’s Hamilton to Tauranga return and still plenty for ducking out to Te Awamutu on Sunday.

Hydrogen Cars Cruising Around NZ

Not many hydrogen cars in NZ at the moment – handful, really. Here are the main models you might see, if you’re lucky:

  • Hyundai Nexo

The Nexo’s an SUV, first hydrogen one in NZ, landed in 2019. Fill it in about 6 minutes, gets you about 660km. Not many on the road, but it’s neat seeing one on Victoria Street now and then.

Price: starts at $58,735

  • Honda FXC Clarity

Bit different – based off a 2006 Honda. Still does zero emissions, quick refuel, and roomy like a big Accord. Feels a bit luxury but not as showy as a Tesla.

Price: from $34,355

The Mirai looks almost futuristic, certainly turns heads on Peachgrove Road. It’s smooth, quick to fill (5 min), and proper comfortable. More coming in, and will probably catch on as stations pop up.

Price: starts at $58,550

With NZ and Hamilton pushing for greener vehicles, hydrogen will be getting more popular. We’re keeping an eye on it at Grimmer Motors – we’re always upskilling for whatever rolls through the door, whether it’s a Nissan Leaf, a Hyundai Nexo or a Yaris needing a basic WOF.

If you need a car service in Hamilton or want to chat about alternative fuels, electric or hybrid repair, just pop in. We’re here with honest, Kiwi know-how – and a cuppa if you need one.

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