Methanol (CH 3 OH) is an alcohol fuel. Today most of the world's methanol is produced by a process using natural gas as a feedstock. However, the ability to produce methanol from non-petroleum feedstocks such as coal or biomass is of interest for reducing petroleum imports.
What are the benefits of using Methanol ?
Some methanol benefits include lower emissions, higher performance, and lower risk of flammability than gasoline. In addition, methanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbon-based feedstocks such as natural gas, coal, and biomass (e.g., wood) and the use of methanol would help reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum.
How does Methanol Perform?
Power, acceleration, and payload are equal to gasoline but methanol's lower energy content creates a lower fuel economy.
What types of Vehicles Can Use Methanol?
Because Methanol combustion creates formaldehyde, a very corrosive substance, special parts must be used. These durability problems have made it difficult to implement methanol-based fleets. Because of this methanol will probably never be a major fuel for use in internal combustion engines. It is, however, a leading contender as a feedstock for fuel cell vehicles. Researchers are currently working to find ways to make Hydrogen methanol in fuel cell vehicles of the future.
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Methanol (CH 3 OH) is an alcohol fuel. Today most of the world's methanol is produced by a process using natural gas as a feedstock. However, the ability to produce methanol from non-petroleum feedstocks such as coal or biomass is of interest for reducing petroleum imports. 
Some methanol benefits include lower emissions, higher performance, and lower risk of flammability than gasoline. In addition, methanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbon-based feedstocks such as natural gas, coal, and biomass (e.g., wood) and the use of methanol would help reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum. 