Age
16
Country of Residence
South Africa
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
I noticed this problem when my mom was spending about R1,200 a week on petrol. I remember her mentioning that she wished there was a car that runs on water. That was when the idea 💡 sparked in my mind, and I seriously started to consider building a car that runs on water.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I invite engineers, scientists, innovators, students, entrepreneurs and anyone passionate about sustainability to join me in developing AQUA Motion. Whether you can contribute technical expertise, research, creative ideas, industry connections or simply a willingness to help solve a real-world problem, your contribution could make a difference. The project is at an early stage, and I am looking for people who are willing to question assumptions, test possibilities and work collaboratively to determine what is scientifically achievable. If you believe transportation can become more affordable, accessible and environmentally responsible, I invite you to be part of this journey. Let's turn an ambitious idea into a practical solution that could improve lives, starting in South Africa and potentially reaching beyond its borders.
How many people are on your team?
3
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
The bigger vision is to make sustainable transportation more accessible, so cleaner mobility isn't just a privilege for wealthy people. Developing a new clean-transport industry could create jobs in engineering, manufacturing, renewable energy, and maintenance.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
Aqua Motion 🌊🚗 is a bold vision to revolutionise transportation by exploring the possibility of cars powered by water-derived hydrogen. Combining futuristic design, clean-energy technology, and sustainable mobility, the project aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reimagine how we drive. The mission? Turn the impossible into an engineering challenge and drive toward a cleaner future.
Project title
AQUA MOTION
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
Petrol is becoming more than just a driving expense; it's a burden on families like mine. In October 2026, petrol 95 in Gauteng rose to approximately R30.25 per litre, meaning a 50-litre fill-up costs over R1,500. That's money families could spend on groceries, school fees, healthcare, and other essentials. South Africa also faces the challenge of transport affordability, with research estimating that around 15 million people experience transport poverty. Aqua Motion is inspired by this reality. I want to explore a future where mobility is more affordable and sustainable, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and the greenhouse gas emissions they produce. My vision goes beyond building a car; it's about giving families more financial breathing room, protecting our planet, and creating a future where getting from one place to another doesn't come at such a high cost.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Over the next three months, I plan to strengthen AQUA Motion by moving from an idea towards a scientifically grounded, feasible concept. My first step will be to research existing electric, hydrogen-powered and alternative-energy vehicles to understand their limitations and identify opportunities for improvement. I will then consult engineering experts, conduct feasibility research and investigate whether a water-related mechanism could realistically contribute to a more affordable and sustainable transportation system. Using these findings, I aim to develop an initial concept design, identify the technology and resources required, and explore potential partnerships with engineers, researchers and organisations in the clean-energy sector. My priority is to validate the science before investing in development, ensuring that AQUA Motion is built on evidence rather than assumptions. By the end of these three months, I hope to have a clearer technical direction, a preliminary design and a practical roadmap for taking the project forward.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
AQUA Motion was born from the desire to address two major challenges facing South Africa and the world: the rising cost of transportation and the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels. For millions of people, petrol is more than just a fuel expense; it is a financial burden that affects household budgets, access to opportunities and quality of life. While electric vehicles offer a cleaner alternative, their upfront costs and the limited availability of charging infrastructure can make them inaccessible to many. AQUA Motion aims to challenge the limitations of existing transportation solutions by exploring innovative, scientifically viable ways to reduce running costs and environmental impact. The vision is bigger than simply creating a new vehicle; it is about reimagining the future of mobility so that affordable, sustainable transportation becomes a realistic possibility for more people, not just a privileged few.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
Aqua Motion 🌊🚗 envisions a future where cars use water-derived hydrogen to power electric motors. The proposed system would use electrolysis to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen, store the hydrogen safely, and feed it into a fuel cell that generates electricity to drive the wheels. A battery could store excess energy and improve performance. By exploring hydrogen production using renewable energy, Aqua Motion aims to reduce reliance on petrol, lower transport costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The challenge is developing a system that is safe, affordable, and energy-efficient enough for everyday South African families.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I'm responsible for the research that is required to develope this car .My partner is responsible for the engineering part and scientifically viable solutions. My second partner is responsible for the creative design of the body of the and how it could look like visually.
