As a national comprehensive energy reform pilot zone, North China's Shanxi province has been proactively paving the way for green development by expanding its methanol industry in recent years, with the city of Jinzhong seeing remarkable results in the field.

Shanxi boasts a current methanol production capacity of 6.14 million metric tons. By fully utilizing existing production capacity without expanding production or altering downstream channels, an additional 2.84 million tons of methanol can be generated. This additional output could fuel approximately 350,000 methanol-electric taxis or 33,000 methanol-powered heavy-duty trucks.

Furthermore, the province possesses a mature methanol production process, involving the production of coal-based, coke oven gas-based, and ammonia synthesis-based methanol. Additionally, Shanxi is actively exploring the production of green methanol from waste straw through biomass conversion.

Geely methanol-powered heavy-duty trucks. [Photo/Shanxi News Network]

Jinzhong initiated work in 2022 to establish itself as a national-level demonstration zone for the methanol economy. Over a three-year period, the city aims to realize a development framework composed of 1 million tons of green methanol production, 100,000 methanol-powered passenger vehicles, 100 methanol fueling stations, an annual production of 50,000 methanol heavy-duty trucks, and five methanol towns.

Jinzhong currently utilizes 5,000 methanol-powered vehicles, solidifying its status as a leader in this field. A Geely methanol-powered heavy-duty truck fueled by methanol produced in Jinzhong was used as the fuel transport for the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, meaning that methanol-powered vehicles have become a symbol for Shanxi's commitment to green development.