The reporter gathered insights from the recent high-level forums on national alcohol ether fuels and alcohol ether-powered vehicles, which concluded on November 14th. The discussions highlighted that the nationwide development of methanol gasoline is accelerating, yet the absence of a clear national industrial policy has created significant challenges. This lack of centralized regulation has led to a fragmented landscape where local standards vary widely, resulting in confusion and inconsistency across regions.
Methanol gasoline is a clean-burning fuel produced by blending a specific percentage of denatured methanol into unleaded gasoline for use in motor vehicles. It is typically categorized into two types: M15 (15% methanol) and M50 (50% methanol). Since its pilot implementation in Shanxi Province in 1997, methanol fuel has gained traction, with 14 provinces and cities—including Henan, Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Heilongjiang—now actively promoting its use. Currently, nearly 100 companies are involved in producing fuel-grade methanol and methanol gasoline, with over 10 billion yuan in investment in this growing industry.
However, the lack of national standards continues to be a major obstacle. Due to unclear policies and unestablished technical guidelines, local governments have had to develop their own approaches. As a result, methanol gasoline is often produced according to varying local or even company-specific standards. This inconsistency has led to uneven quality and potential safety concerns, raising doubts about the long-term sustainability of the industry.
For example, Shanxi introduced its own standard in 2002, while Sichuan established a provincial standard (DB51/T259-1996) as early as 1996. Meanwhile, Henan Luohe Petrochemical Group set a corporate standard for M50 methanol gasoline in 2001. These diverse regulations have contributed to a chaotic market environment, hindering the industry’s ability to scale effectively.
At the forum, representatives from over 20 provinces, along with domestic and international experts, emphasized the urgent need for the central government to clarify its policy framework and establish unified national standards for methanol fuel. They stressed that such measures would not only promote industry growth but also ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental benefits.
In response, the National Professional Committee for Alcohol Ether Fuels and Vehicles is currently working with relevant authorities to draft industry standards for dimethyl ether products. Additionally, they are preparing to develop a national standard for methanol gasoline, drawing on existing guidelines for unleaded and ethanol gasoline. These efforts mark an important step toward a more structured and sustainable future for the methanol fuel sector in China.
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