You have to heat water to get steam and that takes energy. And time to get the water hot.

@Ceaselessmind i am sure with modern technology a Tiny amount of water could be kept quite hot & ready to go making the awful hardship of planning your day unnecessary.....
And if we used water, the tyranny of suppliers would be Ended, a Huge benefit to everyone but them......

@Ceaselessmind ummm, a Stanley Steamer set the world record for land speed, only broken in 2009 by another steam-powered vehicle.
I use propane (another well-tested/trusted technology) to heat my water, it's almost as fast as those "point of use" water heaters (which are 3-5 times the price but also proven technology)
Your technology analogies are SO outdated!

@Ceaselessmind ummmm, a "one-off vehicle? Not until tne gas & oil interests drove them out with lies....how many actually hurt someone, even with the technology of that time?
Oh, and i can tell you from personal experiencw that that steam powered you so denigrate is what powers nuclear submarines, among other things...what do you think tne nuclear reactor makes, besides heat.......
Oh, and propane from Natural Gas is 99% efficient, and this country & Canada have Huge reserves!