The results for m100 are far better and will be discussed later. As for supply, methanol is easily produced from any carbon based feedstock, most commonly natural gas. There are many more advantages with the use of methanol, it is less flammable in open air, it contains a higher octane which produces more horsepower in many vehicles, and there are only minor modifications needed in converting a conventional gasoline burning vehicle into a methanol burning vehicle. Therefore, methanol's physical and chemical properties produces several inherent advantages as an alternative to gasoline. Production Methanol has the capability to be produced from any renewable resource that contains carbon.
Some examples are wood, municipal solid waste, sewage, and natural gas.
The majority of methanol plants follow a two step procedures with the use of natural gas. First they convert natural gas into a synthesis gas and steam consisting of CO, CO2, H2O, and H2. This is accomplished two different ways, first by cataliticly reforming natural gas and steam. Second is the catalytic synthesis of methanol from the synthesis gas. Each of these steps can be carried out in several different ways, with whatever technology is suitable for that company.