Xi ‘an launches 60 methanol taxis, experts and four ＂more＂ to dispel doubts about old drivers.
On December 20th, the first batch of 60 methanol taxis in Xi ‘an were unveiled. On the same day, the first batch of 60 methanol new energy taxis in Xi ‘an were put into operation, which is another city in China where methanol vehicles were put into operation after Jinzhong, Baoji, Lanzhou, Shanghai and Guiyang. Image source: vision china
Cctv news(Reporter Wang Jiazhu) On December 20th, the first batch of methanol taxis in Xi ‘an were officially put into operation. Although only 60 vehicles were put into use, this new fuel vehicle still attracted the attention of the outside world. How much less can methanol fuel emit than gasoline? Can the old taxi drivers be satisfied with the power and economic applicability?
Since 2012, the pilot work of methanol vehicles has been carried out in 10 cities in China, including 4 in Shaanxi. Liu Shengquan, a professor at Chang ‘an University, as the leader of the expert group on the pilot operation of methanol vehicles in Shaanxi Province, presided over the pilot project in Shaanxi. On December 24th, Liu Shengquan accepted an interview with CCTV reporters on related issues.
Cleaner PM2.5, less emissions by about half
On December 20th, the first batch of 60 methanol taxis in Xi ‘an were unveiled. Image source: vision china
The methanol car is not filled with methanol gasoline, but a clean fuel called methanol M100 is promoted in Xi ‘an, with a methanol content of 99.9%. Traditional gasoline is a mixture of more than 100 different hydrocarbons, and the pollutants produced after combustion are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, etc., which is the main source of PM2.5 formation.
"After the combustion of methanol M100, there are also conventional emissions such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, but the emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons produced by methanol M100 are reduced by 45%-60% and nitrogen oxides by 20%-25% compared with the same amount of gasoline." Liu Shengquan said that because gasoline is a mixture, its molecular structure has 6-12 carbons, while the molecular structure of methanol M100 has only one carbon, so methanol M100 is much cleaner than traditional gasoline.
Save more money and spend half of it every 100 kilometers.
There is a gas station in Xi ‘an that can fill methanol M100. At present, there are 7 gas stations in Xi ‘an that can fill methanol fuel, and this number will increase to 45 in the next year. (Wang Jiazhu/photo)
On December 23rd, the reporter saw in a gas station that can be filled with methanol M100 in the West Third Ring Road of Xi ‘an that the price of M100 per liter is 1.9 yuan. In contrast, the current price of No.95 gasoline in Xi ‘an is 6.63 yuan per liter, and the natural gas is 3.2 yuan.
According to Liu Shengquan, according to the previous pilot situation, taxis in Xi ‘an will burn about 10 liters of gasoline, 10 cubic meters of natural gas and 16 liters of methanol M100 for 100 kilometers. "It seems that methanol M100 is even less burn-resistant, but converted into price, 66 yuan is needed to add gasoline, while methanol M100 only needs 32 yuan, which can save at least half of the money."
In addition, according to the relevant support policies issued by Shaanxi Province, for the purchase of methanol, ethanol, hydrogen fuel and other cars produced in the province, Shaanxi will also subsidize 10,000 yuan for each heavy truck and 5,000 yuan for each passenger car, and the enterprise income tax will be reduced by 15% for methanol automobile enterprises.
More power is 3%-5% higher than that of gasoline vehicles.
After 60 methanol vehicles were put into the market this time, questions about the power and toxicity of methanol M100 appeared on the Internet. In an interview with a CCTV reporter, Professor Liu Shengquan gave a detailed introduction to this.
"In fact, the power of methanol M100 car is 3-5% higher than that of gasoline, which is why taxi drivers say that this car is lighter and even has a sense of pushing back after driving, while the power of natural gas car is 20% lower than that of gasoline car." Liu Shengquan said.
Regarding toxicity, Liu Shengquan explained that methanol is indeed toxic, but in the classification of liquid toxicity in China, methanol and gasoline are both moderately toxic. "People’s worries are justified, because methanol has a fragrant smell and gasoline is pungent, so methanol is more easily misused than gasoline, but it will not be poisoned as long as it is not misused."
In addition, Liu Shengquan said that methanol is the same as gasoline in transportation, storage and filling, and its ignition point and volatility are not as good as gasoline, so it is safer in practical use.
It is more convenient to take the bus lane, and there is no limit to the number.
This time, only 60 methanol taxis were put into use in Xi ‘an, accounting for a very small proportion of tens of thousands of taxis. The reporter failed to hit them for three consecutive days. But after two years, this proportion will be greatly strengthened. According to the support policy issued by Shaanxi Province in July, by the end of 2019, the province will also invest 20,000 methanol taxis, of which 10,000 will be in Xi ‘an.
Xi ‘an also encourages units and institutions to give priority to purchasing methanol vehicles. On the basis of 15 filling stations that have been built and 7 have been operated, 45 M100 methanol filling stations will be built by 2019. Methanol vehicles are not only not restricted by the relevant restrictions, but also allowed to drive in bus lanes and park in public parking lots (spots) for less than 2 hours for free.
"Compared with natural gas, methanol M100 is liquid and does not need pipelines, so the filling station will be established soon, and the technical difficulty of methanol vehicles is not great. I believe it will be popularized soon." Liu Shengquan revealed that at present, many foreign and domestic automobile manufacturers have come to Xi ‘an to have a discussion on methanol vehicles.