Geely to pursue development of methanol-powered vehicles    

Updated Jun 14, 2021 | Same topic: Automotive Industry Updates

Win or lose, the company’s chairman is determined.

Like the fossils they were derived from, petroleum-based fuels are expected to be extinct by the middle of this century. While electric power is the current frontrunner as far as more sustainable means of propulsion are concerned, some carmakers are exploring other alternatives as well.       

Li Shufu

Geely boss Li Shufu says that the effort is a worthwhile investment, even with the prospect of failure

One of them is Geely. The Chinese carmaker already has hybrid and battery electric vehicles, but it’s not letting go of internal combustion just yet. Geely Chairman Li Shufu announced that Geely will continue its work on developing methanol-powered vehicles, whatever the outcome of the research may be.

“We will keep exploring methanol vehicle technologies,” Li said in an industry conference held in Chongqing. “Of course, it might fail in the end, but currently we are still working on it.” He declared that Geely will expand production of methanol vehicles, adding that he expects these to be cleaner than their gasoline equivalents.  

Geely Azkarra

A number of Geely models such as the Azkarra currently utilize mild-hybrid technology

The Zhejiang-based company that owns Volvo Cars and a 9.7 percent stake in Daimler AG recently invested in Icelandic firm Carbon Recycling International, part of its plan to work on producing methanol using carbon dioxide to reduce overall carbon emissions.

Geely joins a small group of automakers actively exploring methanol as a viable fuel for vehicles, including Zhengzhou Yutong Bus, Shaanxi Heavy Auto, and Shaanxi Tongjia Automobile. All of them have taken part in a six-year methanol vehicle pilot program organized by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), deploying more than 1,000 methanol cars and trucks in several Chinese cities.    

Geely Emgrand

The company previously marketed an ethanol-powered version of its Emgrand sedan in China 

The pilot was followed by a policy promoting methanol use for vehicles and machinery, issued by eight ministries of China’s central government in 2019. Transitioning to this particular alternative fuel is seen as a boost to China’s efforts at energy independence since the country currently has a heavy reliance on coal, which can be converted to methanol.

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Know more about Geely

Geely

Geely Philippines currently offers three models in the local market this 2023. The Geely Emgrand sedan is the cheapest model with a starting price of Php 753,000 for the entry-level S MT, while the most expensive Geely in the Philippines is the Geely Azkarra with a maximum price of Php 1,765,000 for the flagship Luxury 1.5 DCT. There are two crossovers in the Philippine lineup consisting of the Geely Coolray and Geely Azkarra, as well as one MPV which is the Geely Okavango.

In addition to the monthly updated Geely car price list, Philkotse.com always ensures that it is the address that provides all the best promotions from all dealers in the Philippines along with prepaid and paid programs, and the lowest monthly contribution that car buyers cannot ignore.

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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