Say Goodbye to EVs – This Water-Hydrogen Engine Will Change Everything in Automotion

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In today’s world, with scientists, companies, and consumers all striving for cleaner sources of power, many attempts have been made to find renewable, non-noxious alternatives to power our daily needs. Hydrogen seems to have reigned supreme in this fight for the top spot, but what about water?

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News of the car with two hydrogen engines was groundbreaking, but the innovation has not stopped there. A new water-powered motor has not only set records but may have finally dethroned hydrogen as the best possible alternative.

Which is hard to believe; production of hydrogen for energy purposes is still globally relevant and has risen to the top of every green energy list, especially if we can produce it in an environmentally friendly manner. Many countries have started using the element in their new energy projects, with Spain alone accounting for 20% of the world’s new hydrogen projects in 2022. With data showing hydrogen's profitability and major investment in its development, why is this water engine so revolutionary? And is it good enough to replace hydrogen?

Is water engine a completely new technology?

Well, let's start from the top. The new water engine does not replace hydrogen entirely; it just uses it more efficiently. Courtesy of Austrian company AVL Racetech, we now see a powerful hydrogen combustion engine with incredible performance that could be an alternative to electric vehicles.

At first, EVs were heralded as the future of automation, but they come with their own set of challenges, such as battery recycling costs, range limitations, and a lack of charging stations in rural areas even after 10 years of development.

This could all be a bad dream in our rear mirror with the new water engine, which may even be used in racing cars. (While there is an EV racing category, this is not the most important application of the technology.)

Born as a collaboration between engineers from AVL Racetech and HUMDA, the technology adds a water injection system to a traditional hydrogen combustion engine. The new injectors boost the power of the engine, solving the most prominent problem of this type of engine.

How is the new technology implemented in existing hydrogen engines?

Much like the inner workings of other traditional engines, the Port Fuel Injection (PFI) system injects water into the engine’s air intake system. This prevents premature ignition and damage to components, achieving stoichiometric combustion.

With a fixed air-fuel ratio, the company has solved the problem of excess air in a combustion engine. The result? A two-liter hydrogen engine producing 410 hp and 500 Newton-meters of torque between 3,000 and 4,000 revolutions per minute.

With that much power, could it be used for racing?

Ellen Lohr, Motorsport AVL Director, is excited about the results, which basically guarantee that the engine is capable of competing in high-level motor racing. “The results obtained by our H2 racing engine confirm that we are able to offer an extremely competitive package with this technology,” she said.

As a former professional racing driver, she is also excited to see the sport embrace sustainability, and the new engine could definitely be a step in the right direction.

These new combustion engines will be useful for so much more than just racing. They have the potential to forever change the shift to zero-emission vehicles.

About AVL Racetech

AVL Racetech is a global leader in powertrain and energy system development, with a focus on sustainable mobility solutions. As a pioneer in hydrogen combustion engines, AVL Racetech is committed to advancing zero-emission technologies across various industries, including automotive and motorsport. Learn more at avl.com.