North China's Shanxi province will strengthen the rational layout of the methanol vehicle industry and improve the industrialization and market application of methanol vehicles, according to Shanxi Department of Industry and Information Technology on Dec 21.

According to the plan issued by Shanxi's provincial authorities, the province will accelerate the construction of a methanol automobile vehicle system, focusing on building methanol vehicle production bases in Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Changzhi and Yuncheng cities. Shanxi will also construct production bases for methanol fuel for vehicles in Datong, Jincheng, Changzhi, Linfen and Lyuliang cities.

Using existing engine companies in the province, Shanxi plans to produce a series of methanol engine products, focusing on the industrialization of high-horsepower methanol engines and methanol hydrogen fuel cell modules. 

It will introduce and cultivate manufacturers of crucial parts for methanol automobiles, focusing on methanol fuel supply, special lubricants and alcohol-resistant materials, to further expand the methanol vehicle industrial chain.

Through the comprehensive utilization of resources, Shanxi encourages the use of high-sulfur inferior coal and coke oven gas to produce methanol. 

The methanol fuel transmission and distribution system will have centers in the cities of Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Changzhi, Datong, Jincheng and Yuncheng. The centers will be constructed based on the existing and proposed methanol storage and fuel allocation infrastructure.

Shanxi also encourages the public to use methanol vehicles in public transportation, infrastructure construction and resource mining sectors. Certain subsidies and loan preferences will be given to buyers and sellers of methanol vehicles.

Authorities in Shanxi will promote Jinzhong and Changzhi cities' experience with methanol taxis and buses across the province.

By the end of 2021, the province will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 methanol vehicles. In key cities such as Taiyuan, Jinzhong, Changzhi and Yuncheng, 5,000 M100 methanol vehicles will be assembled, and the province will build more than 100 methanol filling stations.

By the end of 2022, Shanxi will launch three to five demonstration operation projects, promote the utilization of more than 20,000 M100 methanol vehicles and build more than 200 methanol refueling stations across the province.