China's Geely launches methanol hybrid sedan to address cold weather EV challenges

BEIJING, Nov 3 (Reuters) - China's Geely Auto 0175.HK on Tuesday unveiled new methanol hybrid powetrain technology and a flexible-fuel hybrid sedan to address major electric vehicle drawbacks in cold climates.

The new powertrain technology features a methanol hybrid engine achieving a thermal efficiency of 48.15%, according to the company.

Designed to address the range degradation that EVs can experience in cold weather, the Geely Xingyao 6 EF can run on methanol, gasoline or electricity, and allows methanol and gasoline to be blended in any ratio within the same fuel tank.