Car manufacturers globally are continuously exploring to develop vehicles that operate on the most cost-effective solutions, such as water or solar energy. This raises the question: are we approaching the end of the oil era and the wealth it brings to the Middle Eastern countries?
A company has boldly announced the creation of the first car that runs on water as fuel, a concept that has been reported by the media.
The concept of fueling cars with water rather than gasoline has captivated both inventors and environmentalists for years. Imagine cars running on hydrogen derived from water, offering a clean mode of transportation using Earth’s most plentiful resource.
Although the notion of water-powered vehicles has largely been theoretical, Electriq Global, an innovative company, is turning this vision into a reality. Operating out of Israel, Electriq Global has created a technology that effectively transforms water into a viable fuel for vehicles.
This Israeli innovation extracts hydrogen from water to produce electricity, which then powers the vehicle. This significant advancement is poised to revolutionize the car industry and is seen as a boon for the environment, according to the company’s specialists.
Electriq’s water-based fuel, with a potential range of 600 miles per full tank, could render gasoline obsolete, as noted by several experts. Although still unproven, the first water-fueled car operates on this principle.
The technology, developed by the Israeli company Electriq Global, employs a novel nanotechnology that separates water into hydrogen and oxygen via a specialized membrane.
This membrane functions as an electrolytic cell, utilizing electricity to decompose water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen generated is then directed into the vehicle’s fuel cell, where it reacts with atmospheric oxygen to produce electricity, which in turn powers the electric motor and propels the car.
In contrast to conventional internal combustion engines, this process’s sole emission is water vapor, resulting in a vehicle that only discharges clean water vapor without any harmful emissions.
Electriq Global has innovated a membrane that splits water molecules using unique nanomaterials, requiring significantly less electricity than before. This breakthrough opens the door for sustainable vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
The firm has developed prototypes to advance this water-based fuel technology. In 2018, they successfully tested a Renault Clio modified to run on their hydrogen fuel system.
Reports indicate that the Israeli test vehicle achieved speeds over 70 mph with no engine modifications, except for an added external water tank and fuel converter. Further tests are planned with a Suzuki Vitara SUV, fitted with a larger fuel converter and water tank to extend its range.
Electriq aims to demonstrate a range surpassing 600 miles per tank, comparable to traditional gasoline vehicles. The technology has shown encouraging results in normal driving conditions. The fuel converter efficiently extracts hydrogen from water, delivering it to the engine and sustaining performance levels similar to those of gasoline.
Electriq is dedicated to validating the practicality of water-powered vehicles for daily use through extensive testing and improvements. Indeed, such vehicles could signal the end of gasoline and other polluting fuels.
It has long been recognized that hydrogen will significantly contribute to the decarbonization of transport, though perhaps not to this degree. Whether we will witness these vehicles on our streets soon remains to be seen, but their potential benefits are certainly compelling.
