China’s Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co Ltd (Geely) has announced plans to expand its new methanol-driven vehicles to the Malaysian market. This strategic move follows successful deployments in China and trials across Europe, including Denmark. Malaysia is poised to play a key role in Geely’s vision of providing cleaner, more innovative mobility solutions, even surpassing hydrogen technology.
Geely, the world’s largest producer of methanol vehicles, has been actively investing in Malaysia, establishing a methanol testing base to support its endeavors. With Malaysia’s growing emphasis on green energy, the country is emerging as a potential technological hub for Southeast Asian automobile manufacturers.
Methanol fuel offers significant advantages over conventional fuels, particularly in terms of reducing carbon emissions. It is easily transportable and can be stored efficiently, making it a viable alternative for greener transportation. Methanol emissions are considerably lower than those of diesel, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
Geely has manufactured over 30,000 methanol vehicles, which have collectively traveled over 10 billion kilometers. This extensive testing underscores the potential and efficiency of methanol as a sustainable fuel for various types of transport.
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Geely has rapidly advanced its development of methanol-driven vehicles, introducing around 20 models, including automobiles and trucks. Notable examples are the Geely Auto Emgrand methanol sedan and the Geely Commercial Vehicles Farizon M100 heavy trucks. These vehicles have been tested and certified to meet the stringent ‘China VI’ emissions standards, demonstrating their readiness for the global market.
Geely’s continuous experiments in Denmark aim to extend the use of methanol-fueled vehicles in China and future European markets. The company’s strategic outlook on transportation involves utilizing methanol to reduce its carbon footprint and improve fuel efficiency. This places Geely at the forefront of innovation within the automotive sector regarding cleaner energy sources.
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Geely’s decision to enter the Malaysian market is part of a broader strategy to leverage the country’s increasing efforts to produce green and sustainable fuels. Wang Ruiping, Geely Auto’s Vice-President and President of the New Energy Powertrain R&D Centre, has expressed his willingness to engage with Malaysian authorities to explore this collaboration further.
Geely holds a 49% stake in Proton Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s national car manufacturer, which has led to the production of several successful models, including SUVs and the compact sedan Proton X90, featuring low fuel consumption and high performance. This partnership has the potential to accelerate the development and production of methanol vehicles in Malaysia.
