China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Tuesday said it will begin trial runs of methanol-fueled cars in three provinces from March, with the evaluation to be completed in two to three years, the official Xinhua news agency reported Tuesday.
The test will be carried out in the western province of Shaanxi, the northern province of Shanxi and the municipality of Shanghai.
"Evaluations on the feasibility, reliability, economic efficiency, safety and environmental impacts of methanol-fueled cars is expected to finish in the next two to three years," the statement said.
Through the trials, the ministry is also aiming to establish an industry standard for methanol-fueled cars and provide solutions to modify, build and manage necessary infrastructure.
Depending on the outcome of the tests, the government will decide whether to prolong the trials or extend it to other provinces, the report said.
"Shaanxi, Shanxi and Shanghai all have accumulated abundant experience in developing methanol-related technologies including methanol-fueled cars," the MIIT said.
The MIIT had begun its research on methanol-fueled vehicles in 2009 to meet demand from the country's rapidly developing car industry as well as requirements on energy conservation and emission reductions, according to the statement. Methanol was also seen as an alternative due to tight crude oil supply in the country. Alternative energy is one of the seven strategic sectors receiving government support, as stipulated in China's 12th Five Year Plan for 2011-2015.
China's central government plans to inject Yuan 10 trillion ($1.59 trillion) into the alternative energy sector and six other sectors, including biological technology, new-generation information technology and new-type materials, over the next five years.
