The Standard Administration recently announced that China approved a national standard for vehicle-used methanol-blended gasoline which contains 85% of methanol and 15% of gasoline. The standard will come into effect on Dec 1, 2009.

Ma Liang, vice secretary-general of the China Association of Alcohol and Ether Clean Fuels and Automobiles told C1 that promulgation of the standard provides market access for methanol-blended gasoline and legalizes status of the fuel.

Popularization of methanol-blended gasoline needs governmental supports, Ma deemed. "M85 methanol fuel can be used only when engines are properly adapted, and the government should subsidize for the engine refit," he said.

"I hope consumers of methanol fuel could be exempt from paying consumption tax, which is charged at Yuan 1.0 per liter, or about Yuan 1,266/mt, at present," he added.

C1 reckoned Sinopec and PetroChina would also play an important role in promoting use of the fuels, as a large majority of service stations in China are owned by the two state-run oil giants.

Ma also said another standard for methanol fuel which contained 15% of methanol would not be launched within 2009.

"The government is prudent in drafting the standard for M15 methanol fuel, as engines using this fuel do not need to be refitted," he explained.

As C1 reported earlier, the Standard Administration announced on May 21, 2009 that China gave nod to its first national standard for vehicle-used fuel methanol and will bring it into effect on Nov 1, 2009.