The COST 304 final report recommended European harmonisation on various levels to enable the introduction of alternative fuels. In terms of availability and medium term economic competitiveness, these were seen as the most promising alternative fuels. The specific fuels involved are methanol and ethanol. These were already proving valuable as admixtures to conventional fuels, but much greater impact would accompany the use of pure-alcohol fuels. These, specifically methanol, could be introduced to Europe on a wide scale with a lead time of only a few years.
Methanol is the only alcohol that is a candidate for large-scale substitution in Europe.
It can be produced from coal, natural gas and other carbon containing materials, including biomass, i.e. resources that are available worldwide on a long-term basis. Biomass, however, had not been used to a great extent in the energy sector in Europe as its low energy density leads to high production costs. Methanol's advantages are that it is easily handled, relatively cheap, has well established production technology, has a high octane rating and is cleaner than currently used fuels. The main obstacle to its introduction is the major concept shift required in production, distribution and utilisation. Consisting of propane and butane, LPG had already been used as a fuel in certain countries for over 40 years.