ROME – Electric car? Not only. Geely focuses on synthetic fuels and in particular on green e-methanol, capable of reducing CO2 emissions by 70 percent compared to an equivalent petrol model.
Strong of a position on the market that embraces all propulsion solutions through its numerous brands (Volvo, Polestar, Proton, Lotus as well as those exclusive to China) and the 50% stake together with Mercedes in the new Smart corporate structure, Geely we can now afford to support synthetic fuels as a valid alternative to achieve carbon neutrality. – as in the case of green e-methanol – to promote the production and development of alternative solutions starting from renewable wind and solar energy, of which Denmark is rich. In this regard, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group announced that it has entered into an agreement with Circle K Denmark, Aalborg University and Fonden Green Hub Denmark to collaborate over a period of 15 months in tests and demonstrations with vehicles powered exclusively by e-methanol.
The Danish Minister of Transport, Trine Bramsen, and representatives of the municipal government of Aalborg witnessed the first test runs of Geely vehicles refueled with synthetic fuel produced at the pilot plant at Aalborg University. In addition to two Geely Emgrand sedans, the test involves a Farizon M100 heavy truck as a central part of the long-term test for the first time in the world.
Not just electricity and hydrogen, e-fuels arrive
by Graziella Marino
Denmark is a global leader in sustainability and is committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 70% by 2030. Although the country is one of the world‘s largest producers of renewable wind and solar energy, it faces the problem of dependence on these sources by climate and fluctuations. Through Power to X (PTX) – i.e. the conversion of renewable energy into other storable forms – green e-methanol represents the ideal solution to exploit excess renewables, stabilize the national electricity grid and produce a sustainable zero-emission fuel. .
In the well-to-wheel assessment, Geely’s e-methanol-fueled vehicles – an issue the company has been working on for 17 years – allow for a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to petrol models. Previous demonstration trials of Geely Emgrand methanol sedans in Iceland achieved an average emissions of 46g of CO2 per km, even lower than electric vehicles in most countries. In the future, Geely Holding methanol vehicles will obtain certification from the EU and other European markets in support of the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.
In 2016, Geely Holding invested in Carbon Recycling International (CRI) which uses renewable energy and carbon capture to synthesize green e-methanol on an industrial scale. Geely Holding helped CRI introduce its technology to the Chinese market, further lowering the cost of green methanol.