On April 26, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, together with China Automotive Technology and Research Center Information Technology Co. (CATARC Information Technology) and the Beijing Auto Museum, jointly signed a cooperation agreement to officially launch the "Automotive Frontier Technology Science Popularization Program." The three parties will carry out in-depth cooperation around the popularization of automotive frontier technology and build a new science popularization paradigm of "technology verification - achievement display - public education." Yang Xueliang, Senior Vice President of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Liu Jingquan, Director of the Beijing Auto Museum, and Li Wei, Deputy General Manager of CATARC Information Technology, and other leaders attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.
As the first benchmark case of this program, Geely will place the methanol technology accumulated through long-term research and development and the latest industrial applications of its methanol ecosystem, as well as two upcoming mass-production methanol vehicles, the Geely Galaxy E8 EF and Galaxy Starship 7 EF, into a national-level automobile museum for the first time in the form of science popularization exhibition cars, and will open them to the public.
More than 20 years of deep cultivation in methanol technology, building a full industrial chain closed loop
Geely has deeply cultivated methanol technology for more than 20 years, always driven by innovation, and has explored using green methanol to solve energy security and "dual carbon" challenges. It has now built a complete green methanol circular economy system covering methanol production, storage and transportation, refueling, power research and development, vehicle application, and carbon capture and recycling: "methanol-transportation-station-vehicle-capture." As of now, Geely has launched more than 20 methanol vehicle models, built more than 1,000 methanol refueling stations, promoted more than 60,000 methanol vehicles at scale, accumulated more than 25 billion kilometers of driving mileage, and owns more than 400 core patents, achieving independent technology, independent manufacturing, and independent standards. Its methanol technology achievements have been fully verified in major scenarios such as the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Harbin Asian Winter Games.
Behind Geely's long-term investment in methanol technology is a deep insight into China's energy security and transition status. China is "rich in coal, poor in oil, and lacking in gas," and its oil dependence on foreign sources is high. To safeguard energy security, it is necessary to find a new path that is independently controllable, green, and low-carbon. Methanol is precisely a key fulcrum of this answer. Methanol has abundant sources and can be produced from coal, natural gas, biomass, and even carbon dioxide plus green electricity. It is liquid at normal temperature and pressure, and existing infrastructure can be used for storage, transportation, and refueling. This is a practical and truly sustainable path for green energy.
Breakthroughs in core methanol power technology: corrosion resistance, high thermal efficiency, low-temperature cold start
At the mass-production technology level, Geely independently developed core components such as cylinder blocks, pistons, and valves resistant to methanol corrosion. Bench tests exceeded 1 million kilometers, and vehicle lifespan reached the same standard as fuel vehicles. Through high-pressure direct injection and stratified combustion technology, Geely's methanol engine thermal efficiency exceeded 48%, reaching a globally leading level. At the same time, Geely achieved the world's first -40°C ultra-low-temperature cold start, making methanol vehicles stable and reliable in extremely cold environments in northern China. In addition, Geely is expanding methanol power technology to the shipbuilding field to help the shipping industry's green and low-carbon transformation.
The two models participating in this science popularization program, the Galaxy E8 EF and Starship 7 EF, are the mass-production results of Geely's new-generation "methanol electric hybrid" technology. Their 1.5L methanol-dedicated engine and multi-in-one electric drive system are efficiently integrated, with a combined range of more than 1,300 km, truly achieving the goals of high efficiency, economy, reliability, and low-carbon environmental protection.
Three parties jointly build a science popularization program and establish a dedicated Geely methanol technology science popularization exhibition area
This signing ceremony marks the official implementation of a new automotive frontier technology science popularization paradigm that integrates "authoritative institutional technical endorsement + national-level museum exhibition + enterprise core technology resources." This not only actively responds to the national strategic call for the coordinated development of scientific and technological innovation and science popularization, but also provides the automotive industry with a replicable and promotable demonstration path for technology communication.
According to the plan, the Beijing Auto Museum will establish a dedicated Geely methanol technology exhibition area, open to family users, primary and secondary school students, and universities. At that time, the public will intuitively understand the advantages of methanol as a clean energy source—efficient, low-carbon, and renewable—as well as the actual performance of its economy and convenience in vehicle application scenarios. Through the authoritative verification of CATARC Information Technology and the public exhibition window of the Beijing Auto Museum, and with the help of a national-level science popularization platform, Geely's methanol technology will move from scientific and technological achievements into the public eye, effectively enhancing public awareness of energy diversification and expectations for green travel.
Making methanol technology land, become widespread, and reach the public is Geely's mission and responsibility in deeply cultivating technology and empowering industry. Geely will continue to take technological innovation as its core driving force, help China's automotive industry improve its green energy layout, and write a new green chapter for China's intelligent manufacturing.
