About 2-1/2 years ago we posted a blog about using water rather than petroleum as a fuel for cars by
employing electrolysis to split the water molecule into oxygen and hydrogen, transferring the hydrogen
to a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity and then use the electricity to power drive motors similar
to an all-electric vehicle. We acknowledged the need to lower the parasitic energy demand of the
electrolysis process and expressed hope that a person of entrepreneurial brilliance would emerge and
solve all of the technical issues (think Elon Musk or a clone).
Well, on September 9, 2024, the CEO of TOYOTA announced that they have produced an automobile
that runs on water. Based on some You Tube releases by the company, they have succeeded in
lowering the electrolysis power needs and supply it with electricity from a small hydrogen fuel cell that
appears to straddle the engine. That’s right, the bulk of the hydrogen is delivered to a fuel injected, in-
line four cylinder, four cycle rather conventional looking engine. No heavy batteries or electric motors.
The engineering for such an engine is incredible because of the extremely high temperatures created by
the combustion of hydrogen (4500 0 F) and combustion chamber sealing due to the minuscular size of
Hydrogen molecules. Toyota must have been silently working on this project for a decade or more to
make so many leaps in technology.
Environmentally this is a win for everyone. Upstream, mining and transporting of exotic and rare
minerals are eliminated. Downstream, vehicle weights remain about the same, emissions consist of
condensed clean steam and uncaptured waste heat and there is no almost insurmountable increased
load on the electrical grid. Greenhouse gasses no longer exist. There is a chance for trace NO X (Oxides
of Nitrogen) in the exhaust. This is not from Nitrogen in the air, but from trace lubricating oil getting
into the combustion chamber.
The changes in paradigms this technology will cause are immense from the petrochemical industry to
fuel taxes to relationships with and between oil producing countries. Toyota has indicated that they
may offer conversion kits to update existing vehicles. Hopefully, there will be no unforeseen obstacles
to delay the progress of this all-important technology. Published reports indicate that Toyota has 5000
patents on this project. Most will be honored or released by licensing agreements to competitors. The
unknown reaction will be from China.
Our water treatment industry may have an important role as production begins unless Toyota includes a
built-in device to prep the water for electrolysis.
