CHENGDU, Feb. 21 (NBD) -- Cities that have completed pilot operation of methanol-fueled commercial vehicles, including Shanghai, Changzhi, Xi'an, Baoji, and Yulin, are required to submit acceptance application by the end of March, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology in early February.  

Other pilot cities shall do the same within one month after the pilot operation. 

Compared with diesel and gasoline engines, methanol-powered counterparts deliver higher thermal efficiency, being helpful to increase the fuel economy of heavy-duty commercial vehicles. 

More importantly, methanol is easy to obtain. Its production technique is flexible and mature, while its production cost is low. 

The development of methanol-resistant auto parts helps starting methanol-fueled commercial vehicles smoothly in cold weather, further improving the prospect of such vehicles. 

More efforts, however, should be done to increase its popularity. 

In addition to developing high-quality methanol-resistant auto parts and increasing production capacity, construction of methanol fueling stations should be accelerated, said an industry source.  

Email: lansuying@nbd.com.cn