Back in 2021, Geely chairman Li Shufu said the automaker was set to explore the development of methanol-powered vehicles, even though there was a possibility that there could be no commercial success to be derived from it.
Three years in, the company, which is presently the largest developer and producer of methanol vehicles in the world, is persisting with its push of the alternative fuel, which it says is an ideal source of energy, given its clean, easy to transport and store nature.
Having placed over 30,000 methanol vehicles on the roads with a combined mileage of about 10 billion km, the automaker is looking to expand the reach of the fuel beyond its home market and Europe, where it is currently trialling methanol-powered vehicles in Denmark with a view of selling them in European markets.
One of these destinations could be Malaysia. Some time back, it was reported that Geely Auto vice-president and Geely New Energy Powertrain R&D Centre president Wang Ruiping said the automaker was open to talks with the country about introducing methanol-powered vehicles here.
“There are potential opportunities (for collaboration). We can talk about the details,” she said when asked about the subject. Of course, whether anything actually materialises on this front remains to be seen.
At present, Geely has about 20 methanol-based models in both passenger and commercial vehicle segments and obtained 256 patents for methanol technologies. Vehicle models include a Geely Methanol Hybrid version of the Emgrand sedan (which the Proton S70 is based on) as well as the Farizon M100 heavy truck, which has been tested and certified to meet China VI emissions standards.
The Emgrand hybrid utilises a 1.8 litre naturally-aspirated engine – running on pure ethanol – providing 130 hp and 175 Nm of torque and an electric motor providing 134 hp (or 100 kW) and 320 Nm for a combined 264 hp and 495 Nm. Both are connected to a three-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), with the engine working as a range extender at lower speeds and only sending power to the wheels at high speeds.
As a fuel, pure methanol offers the benefits of lower energy consumption and more favorable emission figures. Negatives such as unfavourable low temperature start/warm up behaviour and metal degradation from using pure methanol have largely been circumvented through use of special additives in the fuel.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
We are already dropping NGV off our alternative fuels list. Now methanol is being mooted. Sounds like another dumping ground project by Geely.
Next!
No. Get the f out geli
Hongda – Jenama idaman B40
Proton – Jenama alternatif B40
Perodua – Jenama mampu milik B40
You may need to check if its viable here because Methanol is derivation of Alcohol therefore it is quite sensitive for some to use even on the car.
Methanol ain’t alcohol, you will be instantly dead after consuming methanol Yikes