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Is It Possible for a Car to Run on Water?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 7,639
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The short answer to this question is no. It is not possible to run a car on water, and it never will be, unless fusion technology becomes commercially viable, and even then, an external energy source would still be required. Numerous scam artists have attempted to convince people that it is possible for a car to run on water, and they are often happy to provide people with expensive guides to show the steps along the way, but what they are promoting is a perpetual motion machine. Were it indeed possible to create such a machine, the world's energy problems would be solved, but don't hold your breath waiting for such an invention.

Typically, the claim that a car can run on water goes something like this: water is poured into the fuel tank of the car, and some magical unknown energy source converts the water into hydrogen and oxygen, which are burned to generate energy for the car. The waste product of the burning, miraculously, is water, which can be cycled through the system all over again. Anyone with a rudimentary understanding of the laws of physics should be able to discern that it is not possible for a car to run on water using this system.

There are a number of problems with the claim that it is possible for a car to run on water. For one thing, such systems assume 100% efficiency, which is essentially impossible, as it would imply that a car was capable of regenerating energy endlessly. Fuels like gasoline generally run at around 14% efficiency, with hybrid technology being slightly more efficient, thanks to the use of recaptured energy from braking. Were someone to develop technology which ran at such a high rate of efficiency, it would be cause for global celebration, and widespread scientific skepticism, because it is generally believed to be impossible.

For a car to run on water, it needs some sort of energy source to convert the water into a usable form of fuel. This means that it is physically not possible for a car to run on water alone; the oft-touted “hydrogen conversion kits” sold for cars in fact run on fuel, which is burned to generate the reaction which converts the water into usable fuel. Which such systems may be more fuel-efficient than conventional gas engines, it would be a bit of a stretch to claim that a vehicle outfitted with a conversion kit ran on water.

Some people are optimistic about using fusion, which could be harnessed for a car to run on water. Fusion requires the generation of a reaction which causes the nuclei of atoms to fuse together, becoming extremely heavy and generating energy in the process. While an external energy source is needed to trigger the fusion reaction, a relatively small amount of energy could generate a large return, making fusion a potentially very efficient and attractive source of energy.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By drkennyg — On Sep 13, 2008

Still a lot of work to do but separating hydrogen from water is possible only if the catalyst and sunlight energy is made efficient enough to be plausible. In my estimation hydrogen IS the fuel of the future and always has been. Tell the Arabs to go pound sand.

By DonBales — On Sep 11, 2008

The idea of perpetual motion machines was popular way back in time. It is understandable that people yearn for a simple, cheap,easy answer to a complicated, expensive and difficult problem. I suppose that is human nature. There is a charm about magic and about stories about it, such as "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp" or the one about the lamp with the Genie in it. Some rely on intercessory prayer instead of their own efforts. An all powerful Creator surely could suspend the law of gravity in response to a jumper saying and praying as he falls past the 40th floor, "I've changed my mind, please suspend the law of gravity."

By deana — On Sep 11, 2008

Are the hydrogen conversion kits that are used to attain increased mileage on cars safe? And what are the average savings with such kits? Do they void the warranty on cars?

deana

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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