(Yicai Global) Sept. 20 -- The pilot work of methanol-fueled cars in Changzhi city, Shanxi province has passed test from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The next step is to improve the standard system of methanol-fueled automobiles, promote the market, accelerate applications and enhance relevant technologies, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said yesterday.

The pilot acceptance experts on methanol vehicles are from the energy, automobile, environment, human health, occupational health, petroleum and petrochemical industries. They have verified Changzhi First Motor Transportation Co.'s methanol fuel supply units, methanol fueling stations, data acquisition center and other methanol-fueled vehicle trial run units, media reported. Some 96 methanol buses involved in the pilot operation are functioning well, and have been in service for three years.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology designated Shanxi Province as a pilot zone for methanol vehicles in February 2012. Methanol is considered a clean fuel as cars using it produce emit less than those running on gasoline or diesel. Foreign countries have been replacing petroleum products with methanol for nearly 30 years, and methanol automobile control system technology is mature.

China's five major producers of methanol autos are Geely Automobile Holdings Co. [HK:0175], Shaanxi Automobile Group Co., Shaanxi Tongjia Automobile Co., Shanxi Taihang Victory Auto Co. and Zhengzhou Yutong Bus Co. They carry out methanol vehicle trials mainly in Shanxi's Jinzhong city and Shanghai.