My reading is that some grey-market mechanics will be able to reconfigure engine control to keep engine serviceable.
Default setting is to reduce engine output when tank runs out and prevent restart.
You could probably use distilled water. Demineralised water is used in Older gas turbines to reduce NOx formation by reducing peak flame temperature. It also gives a performance boost on takeoff for commercial jets.
It is illegal to disable emission reduction functions on a road going vehicle, so government action would be required to make this possible en masse. Our woke bureaucracy would likely resist this until a crisis devloped.
My 2004 diesel doesn't have a lot of the complexity of the diesel particulate filters fitted to later engines.
In normal times there is a valid health concern with airborne particulate. People could start to wear masks!!!!
