A car running on something as pure as water is a great idea for most people. The ability to run your vehicle on clean and sustainable fuel saving the environment from more pollution would benefit all of society.

But the concept of a water-powered car has been the subject of debate for decades. While some inventors claim to have developed such an innovation, most scientists are saying not so fast!

With all the mystery surrounding water-powered cars, what is the truth, and will we see it in our lifetime?

Why Do People Believe Cars Can Use Water as Fuel?

Most people love a good conspiracy theory, especially one that benefits our earth. And because some have claimed to have built a car that runs on water, many hope that such a thing is possible. Although there never was a mass-produced car that could run on water, many still believe that the technology is possible. But why?

People believe in water-fueled cars because it's a beautiful concept. Think about it—it's an environmentally friendly alternative to both traditional gasoline and electric vehicles. Water is a renewable resource, after all, so it is a sustainable option for powering cars.

Moreover, water-fueled cars would emit less, or even zero, pollution compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, making them a cleaner choice for transportation.

Stanley Meyer Claimed His Car Can Run Purely on Water

In the 1970s, inventor Stanley Meyer claimed to have created a water-powered car. He said that his car could run on water alone, using an electrolysis process to split the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, which would then be combusted to power the engine.

He stated his new water-fuel cell could amplify energy and be used as an alternative source of power. However, Meyer's car was never commercially produced, and the scientific community largely dismissed his claims.

While some say that Meyer was a fraud and his invention never worked, some also believe that the government and oil industry suppressed his work. Nevertheless, Stanley Meyer sparked the interest of many people who continue to explore the possibility of powering cars with water.

An interesting fact is that Meyer's intention behind his water-powered car had nothing to do with helping the environment. In the 70s, Saudi Arabia cut off oil supplies to the United States, increasing gas prices. Meyer's goal was to help America with this oil crisis. If Americans knew how to convert a gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle, that could've solved nearly everything.

In 1998, Stanley Meyer's sudden death would later spark even more controversy and conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy Theories on Water-Powered Cars

Conspiracy theorists believe that big oil companies and the American government are in cahoots to hide the truth about water-powered cars because it would eliminate the need for oil, destroying many companies' bottom line. It is alleged the automotive industry is trying to perpetuate the sale of gasoline and diesel vehicles because they are more profitable.

An article from Gaia claimed that water could be used as fuel for cars. The article cites several conspiracy theories about the government suppressing this technology. It states Meyer was poisoned because his car invention would cost oil companies trillions of dollars. It also states that he was under surveillance for some time regarding this. However, there is no evidence to support these accusations.

Meyer has a large following who wholeheartedly supports him and believes all he claims. Since Meyer's passing, his patents have expired, giving others the chance to replicate and perfect his invention. Nevertheless, no car company, conventional or otherwise, has ever used his designs.

The Science of Water-Powered Cars

Water-powered cars are being pushed forward in the form of hydrogen. According to Science Alert, prototype devices have been produced to harvest water from the air to make hydrogen fuel. In order to power the vehicle, hydrogen and oxygen gasses are separated from water molecules via electrolysis. During the combustion of hydrogen gas, water vapor is produced, resulting in a cleaner combustion process. This is done with the help of a water fuel cell.

The water fuel cell's job is to take in small amounts of electrically charged water, splitting the water into its base elements H and O. The hydrogen is then burned cleanly. In addition, Meyer claimed the water fuel cell could recombine the H and O elements back into the cell so that it could replenish itself. Scientists disagree with this, claiming it is mathematically impossible.

If you've ever wondered how close we are to having a water-powered car you can drive on normal roads, the answer to it's far away in the future—if it's ever going to happen. In 2002, a company called Genesis World Energy claimed to have made a breakthrough by harnessing energy from the molecular structure of water. They even made it available for licensing by automobile and transportation companies.

However, up until 2022, no company is using any technology related to this development.

Besides, if you're going to use electricity to separate hydrogen and oxygen to produce, why not just use it to power the motor directly instead, like any ordinary EV? Or better yet, why not just drive a hydrogen car instead?

The Myths of Water-Powered Cars

There are a lot of myths out there about water-powered cars. Saying a car is water powered has some thinking the car actually runs using water as fuel. This is not the case at all. For example, hydrogen-powered cars do not burn hydrogen gas in combustion chambers—instead, it combines hydrogen gas with atmospheric oxygen, causing a chemical reaction that generates electricity. This electricity is then used to power the electric motor to propel the vehicle.

According to the laws of thermodynamics, water is not fuel. The only way fuel can store energy is by moving it from one place to another (much like a hydroelectric dam works). It also takes a lot of work to split water into the H and O elements. Scientists still have not found an efficient way to solve this fundamental problem.

Contrary to conspiracy theorists, creating a car that runs entirely on water is legal. In fact, it would mark a historic technological discovery of unprecedented proportions.

The Reality of Water-Powered Cars

Despite all the conspiracy theories surrounding water-powered cars, they are a long way from driving on our roads. Other than producing the water fuel cell itself, scientists agree that making such a vehicle goes against the laws of science.

Developing a system as efficient and robust as traditional combustion engines or electric vehicles will be a challenge. Unless there is a major breakthrough in automotive innovation, we are unlikely to see this technology anytime soon.