This isn't the first time I've heard of Methanol being touted as a future fuel. Early Flexfuel cars were made to run on E85(85% Ethanol) or M85(85% Methanol). Including an experimental Flexfuel Taurus, Escort, and Crown Victoria. Check under History on the wiki page for a brief summary.
Flexible-fuel vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr
If it could also use CNG or LNG, that would be even more cost-effective, since many of the hydrogen is converted from Natural Gas  |
Then you have the problem of storing a Gas. It either requires a high pressure air tank or a cooled liquid tank. There is a third option that takes advantage of hydrogen's innate ability to condense better when mixed with a compound but I've never seen this on a production vehicle.
Using a liquid fuel is just plain better for the consumer too. Easier to refill and takes up less interior space. CNG vehicles are still largely limited to fleets due to limited refilling stations available.
Quote:
Originally Posted by UFO
The energy density of methanol is half that of gasoline. On an unmodified fuel injection system this will lead to dangerously lean mixtures as well as significantly reduced mileage.
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There have been some studies of running up to 10% Ethanol in a Diesel engine to improve fuel economy. But biodiesel is the only biofuel available from a Diesel pump. I haven't heard of anyone using Methanol as a Diesel additive. :/