Methanol emerges as promising alternative fuel in sustainable transportation

Methanol has recently emerged as a promising alternative fuel, particularly in the quest for sustainable transportation solutions. 

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. is a Chinese multinational conglomerate based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The company operates as a global mobility technology group and is making strides in developing methanol fuel for sustainable vehicles. Malaysia has now become a key focus for Geely as it seeks to introduce its fuel into the market, especially as the country intensifies its efforts in the sustainable and green fuel sector.  

Methanol fuel has emerged as a notable alternative energy source, gaining traction as global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 ramp up. 

While many in the automobile industry are betting on electric vehicles, others are exploring alternatives like hydrogen and methanol as innovative solutions to replace the internal combustion engine.

Methanol has the potential to serve as a carbon-neutral fuel alternative. Although most of the methanol produced today still relies on fossil fuels, experts believe it can be created in a way that eliminates the harmful emissions associated with current fossil fuels. 

Although the initial production costs for clean methanol will be higher than those of other alternative fuels, such as synthetic natural gas (SNG), its handling costs are expected to be lower. 

One of the main challenges the automobile industry faces in transitioning to alternative fuels is the substantial capital required for large-scale implementation. However, scientists have cautioned that we are not on track to meet sustainability goals, and we can no longer afford to use funding as an excuse to delay transformation in the automotive sector.   In contrast to hydrogen, methanol is easier to manage.

It can be handled and transported at normal temperatures and pressures, and it is not a new fuel for distribution. Methanol has long been utilized as a base chemical in various industries, meaning its storage, handling, and properties are well-documented. 

As a result, implementing new safety protocols and training for methanol in automobiles would not be entirely unfamiliar. Recently, methanol has gained significant traction in the maritime industry.

Maersk, the largest and one of the most prominent container shipping lines and vessel operators, has partnered with MAN Energy Solutions to develop a container ship powered by carbon-neutral methanol, which was launched in 2023. MAN was tasked with creating the engine for this innovative vessel.

By Naila Huseynova