Li Shufu, chairman of vehicle manufacturer Geely, has proposed that China promote methanol-powered trucks for medium- and long-distance freight, reports Caixin. He argues they offer a practical way to decarbonize a sector where electric and hydrogen options have struggled to gain traction.
Li, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), submitted the proposal as the country’s top political advisory body convenes in Beijing for the annual Two Sessions, saying methanol trucks could help steer the heavily polluting freight industry toward a greener model.
Road transport is a pillar of the Chinese mainland economy but also a major source of pollution. In 2024, road freight accounted for 72.4% of the nation’s 57.8 billion tons of total cargo volume, according to a 2025 report by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Diesel trucks are the main contributors, responsible for 83% of nitrogen oxide emissions and 90.4% of particulate matter emissions from all motor vehicles.