Blue World Technologies has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the fast-moving new energy vehicle manufacturer AIWAYS, with the purpose of supplying the market with vehicles powered by methanol fuel cells for fast refuelling and long range.
During the Chinese International Import Expo 2019 (CIIE 2019), taking place these days – 5-10 November 2019 – in Shanghai, Blue World Technologies joined partners, German Gumpert AIWAYS, developer of methanol fuel cell performance cars, and AIWAYS, Chinese manufacturer of high-end electric vehicles, in the presentation of the methanol fuel cell technology. At the “Global Automotive Development Forum” at CIIE, hosted by China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC) on 7 November, Blue World Technologies signed a Cooperation agreement with AIWAYS for the development and supply of methanol fuel cell system for their vehicles.
Later this year, AIWAYS will launch the battery electric version of their SUV U5 to the market, and towards the end of 2021, the U5 will also be launched in a methanol fuel cell hybrid version. Blue World Technologies and AIWAYS is already in the process of developing the system design ensuring easy integration in the existing platform, in addition to long range and fast refuelling by liquid methanol.
China first-mover on methanol
Back in March, Eight Chinese ministries led by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a Methanol Vehicle Policy with an aim to deploy methanol fuelled vehicles across China. Already, China is the country worldwide with the largest production and consumption of methanol, and the sustainable potential of methanol are substantial. The potential of producing methanol as a CO2 neutral fuel with recycled CO2 from either a concentrated CO2 source or using direct air capture was of high value to AIWAYS when making the decision to enter the cooperation with Blue World Technologies on the development of methanol fuel cell technology. With an electrical efficiency of 45 %, the Blue World Technologies methanol fuel cell system based on high temperature PEM technology, ensures efficient and cost-effective use of methanol as an alternative to fossil fuels.
Please see the press release in Blue World Technologies’ newsroom at MyNewsdesk.
