Car Misconceptions: Can You Power a Car with Water?

February 5, 2016

If you’ve had an email address for any length of time, you’ve probably deleted plenty of spam emails trying to sell you a kit that makes your car run off of water. A kit that does this means that a lot of money can be saved since water is far cheaper and more available than gasoline or diesel fuel. If what the spam emails claim is true, why hasn’t someone become a billionaire by starting a company around the concept?

 

The idea has been around in different forms for a long time and should have shut down by now, most of the viable energy industries such as coal, oil , nuclear, and solar power. Is there a conspiracy to suppress this technology so that the power industries can force us to pay higher energy prices? No. The truth is that, yes, you can make a car (with the right engine) run off of water but you will have to supply the energy to make it happen because it won’t come from the water itself. The idea of using water as a fuel to power a car without substantial energy input on your part is nothing but a car misconception .

 

Too Good to Be True

 

A steam-powered engine is like this. It runs off of water in the same sense that you add water to it as well as some energy in the form of burning wood or coal. But as most people easily understand, the water isn’t the fuel that powers the engine. Cars that run on water typically use electrolysis to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is then burned to power the engine. What happens to hydrogen when it’s burned? It combines with oxygen and forms water which is the fuel that supposedly powers the car in the first place. That’s like a gasoline engine that puts out gasoline as a waste product after the gasoline has powered the car. It’s too good to be true.

 

Money Is Saved at the Gas Pump but Is Spent on Higher Electric Bills

The truth is that it takes energy to separate that hydrogen from the water (during electrolysis) before you can use it, just like it takes energy to convert water into steam before you can use it in a steam engine. Some of the energy used in electrolysis is lost in the form of heat, which means that burning the hydrogen gives you less energy than was used producing it. Using such a car will require water and a convenient electrical hookup to supply energy to power the electrolysis. So you save money by not buying gasoline but end up paying a higher electric bill each month. Like the water used in a steam engine, the water isn’t the fuel that powers the car.

 

For all your auto repair needs in the Wilmington, Delaware area, please contact us .

 

How to Check Your Car's Fluids? Transmission Fluid, Engine Oil, and More | Paul Campanella’s Auto Ce
November 28, 2025
A quick, owner-friendly guide to checking engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and more - plus tips on when to seek service.
How Does Bad Fuel Impact Engine Performance in Modern Cars? | Paul Campanella’s Auto Centers
October 31, 2025
Discover why poor-quality fuel can disrupt modern engines, common symptoms, and steps to protect your car.
What Happens to Your Engine When You Delay an Oil Change | Paul Campanella’s Auto Centers
September 26, 2025
Delaying oil changes lets sludge build, causes higher engine temps, and accelerates wear. Learn why timely changes matter and the risks involved.
Man with arms crossed, smiling in a car repair shop with a car in the background.
July 15, 2025
Discover why drivers trust Paul Campanella’s Auto Centers for honest, skilled care across multiple locations with fast, transparent service.
Futuristic car in a high-tech garage, with holographic displays and tools.
July 15, 2025
Discover how AI-powered diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and robotics are reshaping auto service - from fleet efficiency to daily repairs.
Man with a gray beard looking at his phone with the hood of his truck open in the background.
July 15, 2025
Need quick auto repair? Get same-day inspection at Paul Campanella’s Auto Centers in Wilmington, Swarthmore, and nearby towns. Book in the morning.
Premium gas question. Gas pump nozzle with 93 octane label, car in background, dark setting.
July 15, 2025
Is premium gas worth the extra cost? Learn what octane means, which engines need it, and when regular will do.
Paul Campanella Auto Service: Exterior of auto repair shop with cars in bays, employees, and customers.
July 15, 2025
Grand opening of our sixth location in Talleyville, DE. 2-year/24k warranty, free shuttle, online booking, and opening-day giveaways.
Car being inspected by a team of mechanics at a service station.
July 15, 2025
Get ready for your state inspection with a simple checklist - from lights and brakes to fluids, tires, and paperwork - so you pass the first time.
November 6, 2023
Learn to inspect brakes, check fluid, maintain tires, and drive cautiously this winter for safer, more confident braking on icy roads.