Methanol Basics

What is Methanol?

Methanol is one of a number of fuels that could substitute for gasoline or diesel

fuel in passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks and buses.

Why Consider Methanol?

Methanol’s physical and chemical characteristics result in several inherent advantages as an automotive fuel:

• LOW POLLUTION

Emissions from methanol cars are low in reactive hydrocarbons (which form

smog) and in toxic compounds. Methanol-fueled trucks and buses emit almost

no particulate matter (which cause smoke and odor, and can also be carcinogenic), and much less nitrogen oxides than their diesel-fueled counterparts.

• FUEL SUPPLY OPTIONS

Methanol can be manufactured from a variety of carbon-based feedstocks such

as natural gas, coal, and biomass (e.g., wood). Use of methanol would diversify

the country’s fuel supply and reduce its dependence on imported petroleum.

• FIRE SAFETY

Methanol is much less flammable than gasoline and results in less severe fires

when it does ignite.

• HIGH PERFORMANCE

Methanol is a high-octane fuel that offers excellent acceleration and vehicle power.

• ECONOMICALLY ATTRACTIVE

With economies of scale, methanol could be produced, distributed, and sold to

consumers at prices competitive with gasoline.

Current Methanol Uses

Because of its outstanding performance and fire safety characteristics, methanol

is the only fuel used in Indianapolis-type race cars. Following a series of methanol

vehicle development and demonstration programs throughout the 1980’s, a limited number of methanol passenger cars and buses are now commercially available. There are approximately 14,000 methanol passenger cars in use, mostly in

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY EPA 400-F-92-009

OFFICE OF MOBILE SOURCES

FACT SHEET OMS-7

August, 1994

Methanol is the simplest alcohol, containing one 

carbon atom. It is a colorless, tasteless liquid 

with a very faint odor and is commonly known 

as "wood alcohol."
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Methanol Basics

Federal and private fleets, and about 400 methanol buses in daily operation, mostly in California.

Methanol is used in a number of consumer products, including paint

strippers, duplicator fluid, model airplane fuel, and dry gas. Most windshield washer fluids are 50 percent methanol.

Is Methanol Poisonous? Is Methanol Poisonous?

Yes. As with many other fuels, methanol can be highly toxic and should

never be taken orally. A few teaspoons of methanol can cause blindness

and a few tablespoons can be fatal, if the exposure is not treated.

It should be noted that the human body can metabolize and eliminate

low concentrations of methanol with no ill effects. (Methanol is present

in many cooked vegetables, and the artificial sweetener in diet soft drinks

breaks down into methanol during digestion.) Methanol becomes poisonous only when it overwhelms the body’s capacity to remove it. Toxic

effects do not occur until several hours after exposure. Effective antidotes to methanol poisoning are readily available and can be administered during this interim period.

For Further Information: For Further Information:

The EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory is the national

center for research and policy related to air pollution from mobile sources.

For additional information about methanol and other alternative fuels,

write the lab’s Regulatory Programs and Technology Staff at 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI, 48105, or call 313-668-4454. Further alternative fuels information is available through the Department of Energy’s

toll-free ‘National Alternative Fuels Hotline’ at 1-800-423-1363.