China unveils a historic engine set to change the world, all thanks to its greatest automaker, Geely. Geely may be turning its focus towards something other than hydrogen and may very well end the dominance of hydrogen fuel and the reign of electric vehicles (EVs). The better fuel alternative to hydrogen, as suggested by the Chinese automaker, is methanol, and Geely is hellbent on producing engines that run on M100 methanol. Having a 250 horsepower, 400 Nm of torque, and thermal efficiency exceeding 46%, these methanol engines can adhere to China’s stricter emissions standards. Geely is putting methanol on everyone’s radar.
Methanol sedans are stealing the show
The big reveal of the methanol engine occurred during Auto Shanghai 2025, where Geely showcased its methanol sedan. The sedan was built on the Binrui Cool platform and featured a sleek design. What stole the show, however, was the fact that the engine was created to run solely on 100% methanol.
With a powertrain that allows a 15:1 compression ratio, it will surely outperform gasoline engines and perhaps be a key contender taking up space in the automotive world. The methanol sedan can meet China’s stricter emissions rules whilst promising quicker refueling times, offering a huge advantage over hydrogen engines.
One of the reasons methanol is preferred is that it is easier to store. The storage potential associated with methanol gives it a proper edge over other cleaner fuels.
Taking methanol to the streets and beyond
Geely has utilized methanol to showcase the possibility of this cleaner fuel alternative in terms of consumer cars. However, Geely is not limiting its possibilities to just consumer vehicles. Geely is looking to hit the racetracks with the methanol racing series, the Super Cup PRO. Performance is at its peak with these methanol-powered vehicles.
Geely believes that the racetrack is the best place to identify the performance of newer technologies due to the extreme conditions offered by the racetrack. Since the testing of methanol consumer vehicles in China is proving to be lucrative even during harsher weather conditions, it has yet to be seen what methanol race vehicles will be capable of.
Geely is proving that the environmentally friendly agenda can align well with vehicles geared for performance. It is Chairman Li Shufu who advocated methanol and asserted that the reliance on methanol could see the focus drifting from fossil fuels entirely. Geely is also looking towards Asian countries other than China and Japan to push its methanol engine option forward.
Methanol on a new lane and on a global scale
Geely is now looking towards collaboration with other Asian countries to further the adoption of its methanol agenda. Furthermore, the construction of a green methanol plant that too in Inner Mongolia could see about 50,000 tons being produced yearly. This powerplant is relying on methanol to push forward the sustainability mission.
Geely is exploring hybrid methanol-electric vehicles for heavy-duty trucks and buses. The hybrid approach is yet another way to reduce the dependence on hydrogen and electric vehicles. It has become clear why automakers like Ferrari have awoken from the hydrogen dream and why Lamborghini is testing something miles better, too.
Methanol can be seen as a fuel in a very different lane. It is not in the league of hydrogen as yet, and can be seen as a more practical option for heavy loads. Methanol is not as widely adopted as electric vehicles yet, but it is pushing sustainability goals too.
Geely has achieved what was not possible by other vehicles, offering a chance to show power, practicality, and a solution that poses no harm to the planet. Perhaps, it is Geely that is setting the tone of what alternative fuel choices could mean for the masses.
Source: ecoticias.com
