Road
Methanol as a fuel for road transport
Methanol has been used in road transport for decades, both as a gasoline blend component and as a fuel for vehicles ranging from passenger cars to heavy-duty trucks, offering a practical fuel option that can help transition away from conventional fuels and improve local air quality in urban areas.
Its combustion, established distribution networks, and wide availability support its use in transportation.
China currently has one of the world’s largest methanol vehicle fleets, supported by established fuel production, distribution, and refueling infrastructure.
methanol and methanol-hybrid passenger vehicles
heavy- and light-duty trucks
buses operating on methanol
tonnes of methanol consumed annually
How is methanol used in vehicles
Methanol can be used either on its own or blended with gasoline in different concentrations.
Lower methanol blends, such as M15, can often be used in conventional gasoline vehicles with limited or no engine modifications. Higher blends, including M85 and M100, require dedicated or flex-fuel vehicle technologies designed specifically for methanol use.
In Europe, the use of renewable methanol in fuel blends is also supported under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) as part of broader efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of transport fuels.
In heavy-duty transport, methanol can also be used in trucks and buses through dual-fuel systems or dedicated methanol engines.
Technology development
Major automakers like Geely have been developing methanol-powered passenger vehicles since 2005 and heavy-duty vehicles for the Chinese market since 2015.
Methanol technology is also finding its way into motorsport. In 2026, Geely unveiled methanol-powered race cars and announced plans for a dedicated racing series in China, highlighting the growing range of applications for methanol-powered engines.
Performance benefits of methanol fuel
Methanol has a high octane rating of around 109, compared to around 91–95 for standard petrol. This allows engines to operate at higher compression ratios more efficiently and with a lower risk of engine knocking, helping improve engine performance and power output.
Methanol also has strong cooling properties. As the fuel evaporates inside the engine, it cools the incoming air, allowing more oxygen into the combustion process. This can further improve combustion efficiency and engine performance.
These characteristics have made methanol a popular fuel in motorsport for decades, while purpose-built methanol engines in commercial vehicles are designed to take advantage of these performance benefits.
Using existing fuel infrastructure
Methanol can be stored, transported, and distributed using adapted versions of existing fuel infrastructure.
Existing fuel storage tanks and fueling systems can be modified for methanol compatibility, while road tankers already used in the chemical industry can transport methanol safely and efficiently. In comparison to other alternative fuels, methanol does not require high-pressure storage or ultra-cold systems for transport and fueling.