Methanol-hydrogen EVs' potential huge in sustainable transport

Methanol-hydrogen electric vehicles represent a pivotal advancement in China's quest for sustainable transportation, said experts.

"This technology is not just a novel alternative; it provides a more efficient and environmentally friendly solution for commercial vehicles," said Liu Hanru, chief scientist of Geely Commercial Vehicle Group.

Liu shared his opinion at the 2024 Methanol-Hydrogen Electric Vehicle Development Forum held on Sept 24. The forum was organized by the China EV100 think tank.

His insights underscore the pressing need for innovative approaches to combat the high carbon emissions associated with commercial vehicles, which account for over 55 percent of the transport sector's total emissions despite representing only 12 percent of the vehicle fleet.

The transition towards NEVs in the commercial vehicle sector has been slow: only 15.1 percent of new commercial vehicles sold from January to August were NEVs, far lower than the percentage of 45.6 percent in the passenger vehicle sector.

Liu highlights several barriers impeding this transition, including complex operational demands, high economic pressures related to battery and hydrogen fuel costs, and a lack of robust refueling infrastructure.

"We must navigate these challenges by leveraging diverse electrification technologies, including methanol-hydrogen solutions," he said.

Liu was echoed by Shi Jianhua, deputy secretary-general of China EV100. Shi said the unique characteristics of commercial vehicles make them harder to be electrified than passenger cars.

He emphasizes the need for a multifaceted approach to enhance the market's readiness for new energy commercial vehicles, echoing Liu's call for diverse technologies.

Liu further explains the advantages of methanol-hydrogen vehicles, particularly their ability to operate efficiently in various environmental conditions.

"These vehicles have shown remarkable performance even in extreme temperatures and high altitudes, addressing critical issues such as range anxiety and the heavy weight of traditional batteries," said Liu.

By utilizing methanol as a liquid fuel, these vehicles can significantly reduce harmful emissions—pollutants like PM, CO, and NOx can be decreased by 98 percent, 88 percent, and 82 percent, respectively, compared to traditional diesel engines.

"To achieve a successful low-carbon transition, we must leverage the unique properties of methanol, which is not only cost-effective but also efficient for diverse applications in the commercial vehicle sector," said Shuai Shijin, director of Tsinghua University-Shell Joint Research Centre for Clean Mobility.

Liu added that the path forward is fraught with challenges. "Methanol-hydrogen vehicles have not yet been included in the new energy vehicle category, restricting their access to essential policies and incentives," he noted.

Shi said a clear regulatory framework should be put in place to facilitate such vehicles' widespread adoption.

As China strives for a greener future, methanol-hydrogen technology could catalyze significant economic and environmental benefits.

If widely adopted, these vehicles could help reduce oil imports by 125 million tons annually and cut carbon emissions by 215 million tons.

Experts also highlighted the urgent need for collaborative efforts to promote methanol-hydrogen vehicles as a viable solution for achieving China's carbon reduction goals.