Geely Joins Hands with Weichai to Develop Methanol Powered Heavy-duty Trucks

On October 15, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (hereafter referred to as Geely) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Weichai Power Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Weichai) in Weifang, Shandong province. According to the agreement, the two parties will join hands to develop methanol-powered engines for the global heavy-duty truck market.

As one of the leading auto makers in China, Geely is the first enterprise in China to obtain the permit to produce methanol powered vehicles. According to the company, it launched the research and development of methanol powered vehicles in 2005. Thanks to its relentless hard work in the past fourteen years, it successfully released the world’s first methanol powered heavy-duty truck, M100.

Weichai, a leading enterprise in China’s manufacturing industry, has been making huge investments in the new energy sector. So far, it has already impressive technological breakthroughs in fuel cells, solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC), and HPDI.

By complementing each other’s business, Geely and Weichai will carry out cooperation in developing natural gas engines and methanol engines, etc.

Geely methanol powered heavy-duty truck, equipped with Weichai engine with National VI Emission Standards. With a host of advanced technologies, such as intake turbo inter-cooling, EGR, three-way catalytic converter, air fuel ratio control system, the truck delivers powerful performances and achieves high fuel economy, high reliability and high environmental friendliness.

Thanks to the concerted efforts from both parties, Geely methanol powered heavy-duty truck is now ready for mass production. Initial operation data of the vehicle show that it requires much less fuel costs compared with a diesel powered heavy-duty truck and thus boasts huge market potentials.

By working more closely, Geely and Weichai are believed to create a win-win situation and further push forward the fast and sound development of China’s new energy commercial vehicle industry.

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