Enginer Converts Cars to Fuels of the Future — and the Past

Enginer, a company based in Troy, Michigan, has given itself a mission: to make 100 mpg technology affordable. To this end, Team Enginer, as they like to call themselves, has developed two systems. One is on the cutting edge of 21st century technology, while the other recaptures some of the energy of the early days of the automotive age.

First, Enginer has two plug-in conversion kits for hybrids like the Prius that start at $1,995 — thousands less than the competition. It can be installed by a conversion pro or a do-it-yourselfer, though the company is hoping to get manufacturers to install the kits at the factory, which would qualify the car for some fat tax credits. And, of course, radically improve gas mileage.

Second, Team Enginer has a steam combustion engine conversion kit for sale. The kit goes into your existing car, captures waste heat, uses it to warm water, then uses the steam to drive the engine. In case you weren’t aware, around 1900, one-third of the cars on the road were gasoline-powered, one-third were electric, and one third ran on steam. Seems that Team Enginer would like a piece of all those pies, though they wouldn’t mind if the gasoline slice were a bit smaller.