Queenstown is famous for its spectacular landscapes and endless opportunities for adventure. Now, thanks to an innovative local transport solution, it’s becoming easier than ever to explore responsibly while helping protect the place you love.

Meet Ryd: an electric car and hybrid hire service by the hour. Designed to make sustainable travel simple and affordable, Ryd is reshaping the way we move around Queenstown. And through a new partnership with Love Queenstown, every journey with Ryd goes even further, supporting grassroots conservation projects that protect the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that make this region so special.

Innovation on the Move

Transport is one of the biggest contributors to visitor emissions in Queenstown, and traditional car hire often means more vehicles, more fuel, and more impact. Ryd was brought here with a bold vision: to offer a smarter, cleaner alternative.

Through its app-based platform, Ryd makes it easy to hire an electric car or hybrid by the hour for quick trips around town, spontaneous outings, or even a scenic afternoon drive. The result is fewer cars on the road, lower emissions, and a more flexible, future-focused way to travel.

Ryd’s arrival aligns perfectly with Queenstown’s commitment to regenerative tourism: lowering our footprint while enhancing the positive impact visitors can have on this place.

Powered by Purpose

Every Ryd booking now supports Love Queenstown, a fund dedicated to accelerating grassroots climate, conservation, and biodiversity efforts across the region. That means when you hire a Ryd, you’re not just reducing emissions—you’re directly funding the local projects working to restore our environment for generations to come.

And it doesn’t stop there. At checkout, guests can choose to add an extra donation, making it even easier to give back to the landscapes they’re here to enjoy.

As Ryd explains, “Ryd is about more than getting from A to B. It’s about rethinking how we move in a way that protects the very places we’ve come to enjoy. Partnering with Love Queenstown means our journeys have impact far beyond the road.”

Your How-To Guide

Thinking of hiring an electric vehicle or hybrid with Ryd? It’s easy, fun, and kind to our environment. Simply download the Ryd app, sign yourself up and get verified (it’s secure and quick). Then open the map to discover all the pick‑up points around Queenstown, from designated parking bays in Man Street, accommodation locations like Sherwood and Hilton Resort & Spa, and public car parks such as Remarkables Park in Frankton.

Once you're booked, walk to the car, unlock it in the app, and begin your journey. At the end of your trip, return it to its designated bay, and Ryd takes care of the rest.

Short and Sweet: Ryd's Favourite Trips

Tread lightly and explore Queenstown’s natural beauty on your own terms. Here are Ryd’s personal favourites:

• Hiking gems – Explore the forest trails and historic huts of Mt Crichton, the serene reflections of Moke Lake, or the spectacular views from Crown Peak.
• A journey over the hill – Embrace the scenic drive over the Crown Range, with lush farmland, one of New Zealand's oldest and most iconic pubs, and time to soak up the laid-back lifestyle of Wānaka.
• Glenorchy drive – a full day exploring Middle-earth magic and native wildlife.

Hire Electric. Lower Your Footprint. Give Back.

With Ryd, every trip is a chance to explore differently: reducing your impact while supporting the projects that keep Queenstown’s environment thriving.

Ready to drive change? Book your ride with Ryd today and discover how easy it is to travel lightly around the basin and leave a lasting legacy.