Methanol

Methanol (CH3OH), also known as wood alcohol, is an alternative fuel under the Energy Policy
Act of 1992. As an engine fuel, methanol has chemical and physical fuel properties similar
to ethanol. Methanol use in vehicles has declined dramatically since the early 1990s, and
automakers no longer manufacture methanol vehicles.

Production
Methanol is methane with one hydrogen molecule replaced by a hydroxyl radical (OH). This fuel
is generally produced by steam-reforming natural gas to create a synthesis gas. Feeding this
synthesis gas into a reactor with a catalyst produces methanol and water vapor. Various
feedstocks can produce methanol, but natural gas is currently the most economical.

Benefits
Methanol can be an alternative to conventional transportation fuels. The benefits of methanol
include:

Lower Production CostsMethanol is cheap to produce relative to other alternative

fuels.
Improved SafetyMethanol has a lower risk of flammability compared to gasoline.
Increased Energy SecurityMethanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbonbased feedstocks, such as coal. Its use could also help reduce U.S. dependence on
imported petroleum.

Research and Development

Methanol was marketed in the 1990s as an alternative fuel for compatible vehicles. At its peak,
nearly 6 million gasoline gallon equivalents of 100% methanol and 85% methanol/15% gasoline
blends were used annually in alternative fuel vehicles in the United States.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is researching the future of natural gas(PDF) as a
feedstock to enable more widespread adoption of methanol as a transportation fuel.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is researching ways to validate methanol fuel cell
technology to use methanol for fuel cell vehicles.

More Information
Learn more about methanol from the links below. The AFDC and U.S. Department of Energy do
not necessarily recommend or endorse these companies (see disclaimer).