can syngas be used in cars

[Ross]

Yes, syngas can technically be used to power cars, but it is not a practical or efficient solution for modern personal vehicles. Syngas, short for synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture primarily composed of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, produced by gasifying coal, biomass, or waste. While it can be burned in internal combustion engines—often requiring modifications similar to those for propane or natural gas systems—its low energy density makes it highly impractical. You would need a massive, heavy onboard storage system to achieve a reasonable driving range, and the infrastructure for refueling simply doesn't exist.

The use of syngas is largely historical or confined to specialized industrial settings. During World War II, vehicles in Europe were sometimes equipped with large roof-mounted gasifiers due to petroleum shortages. Today, its application is more about stationary power generation or as a feedstock for producing synthetic fuels like methanol or diesel, rather than direct use in cars. For the average driver, the complexities and inefficiencies far outweigh any potential benefits, especially when compared to established alternatives like gasoline, diesel, or the rapidly advancing electric vehicle (EV) technology.

Characteristic	Syngas	Gasoline	Notes
Energy Density (MJ/m³)	~5-15	~32,000	Syngas requires vastly more volume for the same energy.
Primary Engine Mods	Fuel mixer, regulator, specially designed cylinders	None	Modifications are significant and costly.
Driving Range	Extremely limited without impractical storage	Standard (300-400 miles)	A major drawback for personal transport.
Infrastructure	Essentially non-existent for vehicles	Widespread & established	No commercial refueling stations.
Emissions (vs. Gasoline)	Potentially lower CO2 (if from biomass)	High CO2	Highly dependent on syngas feedstock.
Historical Use Case	World War II gasifier vehicles	Standard since early 1900s	Proves feasibility but not desirability.
Modern Application	Industrial power, chemical feedstock	Personal transportation	Highlights its niche role today.

[SabrinaMarie]

Sure, it's possible, but you'd be dealing with a serious science project, not a daily driver. My grandpa talked about seeing cars with big wood-burning contraptions on them during the war—that was syngas. You'd need a huge tank for a gas that doesn't pack much punch, meaning you'd stop to refill every 50 miles. It's just not worth the hassle. We have electric cars and hybrids now; this is a relic from a time when people had no other choice.

[MacErin]

From an environmental tech perspective, the idea is intriguing but misapplied. Syngas produced from biomass waste can be carbon-neutral. However, using it directly in a car is incredibly inefficient. The smarter path is "power-to-liquid," where syngas is converted into clean, synthetic gasoline or diesel. This leverages existing engines and infrastructure. So, while putting syngas in your car is a dead end, the chemistry behind it could be key to sustainable synthetic fuels for the future.