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DaimlerChrysler Calls for Making Methanol A Fuel for the Future

5 February 1999

DaimlerChrysler Calls for Cooperation in Making Methanol A Fuel for the Future

    WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 -- Methanol holds promise as the clean,
sustainable transportation fuel of the future, and DaimlerChrysler is calling
for the support of the oil industry, government and science to help make the
fuel available and affordable.
    "Methanol is the fuel of the future, capable of fulfilling the
requirements for sustainable, environment-friendly mobility in the long term,"
said Dr. Ferdinand Panik, head of DaimlerChrysler AG's Fuel Cell Project
Group.  "However, in order to be successful in introducing new technologies on
the market, business, government and science must work in closer
collaboration."
    Panik spoke Feb. 4 at a fuel cell conference hosted by the American
Methanol Institute in Washington, D.C.
    The DaimlerChrysler executive appealed to attendees, which included
automotive manufacturers, fuel cell developers, oil companies, environmental
organizations and government officials, to strategically cooperate to develop
a methanol fuel infrastructure.
    "Automakers must develop affordable, practical vehicles that meet customer
needs," Panik said, "and the fuel providers should work on availability,
affordability and volume production of methanol fuel.  Government agencies
should take this opportunity to promote and support environment-friendly
mobility."
    Panik called on the oil companies to concentrate more effort on
alternative energy sources, such as methanol.  DaimlerChrysler's goal is to
introduce fuel cell vehicles running on methanol fuel in 2004.
    Fuel cells generate their own electricity.  Oxygen from the air and
hydrogen fuel are combined in a chemical reaction that produces electricity,
water and 30 percent less carbon dioxide than what conventional vehicles
produce.  Regulated emissions -- hydrocarbons, particulates and oxides of
nitrogen -- are eliminated.
    "Methanol can be derived from natural gas or regenerative sources, thus
reducing dependence on foreign oil," Panik added.
    The world's first methanol-powered fuel cell vehicle, NECAR 3, was
demonstrated in a converted Mercedes Benz A-class by DaimlerChrysler in 1996.
NECAR 1 was a hydrogen-powered fuel cell van introduced in 1994.  There was
only room for a driver and one passenger.  The rest of the interior in the
six-passenger van was used to house fuel cell hardware.  NECAR 2, introduced
in 1996, was also a hydrogen-powered van, but it had seating for six.
DaimlerChrysler also introduced the world's first fuel cell bus in 1997.
NEBUS was a hydrogen-powered fuel cell and carried 60 passengers.