Methanol Industry Hails Station Opening

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 25 -- Today, the first methanol fueling station designed to serve fuel cell vehicles was officially opened at the West Sacramento headquarters of the California Fuel Cell Partnership. Featuring a 2,000-gallon, aboveground methanol storage tank and dispenser supplied by the Methanex Corporation, the station will support the demonstration of fuel cell vehicles operating on methanol, such as DaimlerChrysler's NECAR 5.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new station, Methanol Institute President and CEO John Lynn stated: ``Our future can look very much like our present. This methanol station looks like thousands of aboveground fueling facilities operated throughout the country. We are pumping liquid methanol fuel much like we pump gasoline, and DaimlerChrysler's NECAR 5 looks a lot like other cars on the road today. Taking a closer look, there are a number of key differences that make this day so important.

``The methanol we are pumping is rich in hydrogen and well suited to power fuel cell cars. The fueling nozzle on this dispenser has been designed to prevent any fuel or vapor leaks during refueling. Coupled with an innovative fuel receptacle on the NECAR 5, this fueling system prevents any fuel contact with the consumer or the environment.''

The spill-free nozzle was developed by the Methanol Fuel Cell Alliance, an industry consortium led by BASF, BP, DaimlerChrysler, Methanex, Statoil, and Ballard. Fiber optic communications are built into the nozzle and the vehicle fuel receptacle to ensure proper fueling without an electronic interface.

``We also know that using methanol instead of gasoline as a vehicle fuel is safer for the driver and safer for the environment,'' said Mr. Lynn. ``Methanol is far less likely to ignite than gasoline, and burns slower and cooler. Switching from gasoline to methanol will reduce the number of vehicle fires by ninety percent, saving over 700 lives each year. Since methanol is ubiquitous in nature, it is easily and quickly degraded in the environment.''

The methanol station opening ceremonies were held to coincide with the California Fuel Cell Partnership's Technology Forum, which drew several hundred participants for a day of exhibits, presentations, and fuel cell vehicle rides.

The Methanol Institute serves as the trade association for the global methanol industry.