Methanol gains ground in China's green transport transition: commercial vehicles, emissions cuts, and policy support | carboncredit.io

China is increasingly turning to methanol as an alternative fuel for commercial vehicles and heavy-duty logistics, where battery electric systems face range and payload challenges. The article reports that national methanol vehicle ownership exceeded 60,000 units last year, with roughly two-thirds being commercial vehicles. Industry experts project the sector will surpass 80,000 units this year and move toward large-scale commercialization by 2030. Key players like Geely's Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle claim methanol-electric systems can reduce particulate emissions by up to 98 percent compared to diesel and lower operating costs by 32 to 52 percent. Real-world tests show driving ranges exceeding 1,500 kilometers per refueling cycle. The article also notes that methanol can be produced from coal, biomass, captured CO2, and green hydrogen, positioning it as a flexible energy carrier within China's low-carbon energy system. Policy support is expanding, with calls for national-level implementation plans, refueling infrastructure buildout, and pilot programs across public transport, taxis, and municipal services. The article cites a 28.2 percent new energy vehicle penetration rate in commercial vehicles versus over 50 percent in the overall market, highlighting the gap that methanol aims to fill.