Geely launches Xingyao 6 EF, billed as world's first production methanol hybrid sedan

• The sedan starts at 76,800 yuan ($11,440) under a limited-time offer and supports any blend of methanol and gasoline in the same fuel tank.
• CLTC electric range reaches up to 230 km, while combined range with a full gasoline tank and fully charged battery reaches 1,880 km.

Geely Auto (HKEX: 0175) launched the Galaxy Xingyao 6 EF on Tuesday, bringing its methanol hybrid technology further into the mainstream passenger vehicle market and offering more energy options for cold climates and long-distance travel.

The Chinese auto giant said at the launch event in Shenyang, Liaoning province, that the sedan is the world's first production methanol hybrid family car. It can run on methanol, gasoline or electricity, with the 2 liquid fuels blended in any ratio within the same tank.

The Xingyao 6 EF comes in 3 variants, with limited-time prices ranging from 76,800 yuan ($11,440) to 96,800 yuan. Official guide prices range from 86,800 yuan to 106,800 yuan. EF stands for E-fuel.

The entry-level variant offers a CLTC electric range of 130 km (81 miles), while the other 2 variants provide 230 km. Geely said combined range reaches up to about 1,250 km with a full methanol tank and fully charged battery, or 1,880 km with a full gasoline tank and fully charged battery.

At the heart of the launch is Geely's latest methanol hybrid technology. The company said the system's methanol engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 48.15%, the highest among mass-produced methanol engines globally.

The system uses 350-bar high-pressure direct injection and high-energy ignition technology, enabling cold starts at temperatures approaching -40°C (-40°F) to meet driving needs in cold regions.

A methanol concentration sensor detects the fuel blend in real time, allowing the engine control unit to adjust injection and ignition parameters for different methanol-to-gasoline ratios.

The Xingyao 6 EF features a plug-in hybrid powertrain combining a 1.5-liter methanol engine with an electric motor and uses a lithium iron phosphate battery. Refueling takes about 3 minutes.

Built on Geely's GEA (Global Intelligent New Energy Architecture), the sedan measures 4,806 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width and 1,490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,756 mm.

The cabin runs the Flyme Auto 2 system and features a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Trunk capacity is 609 liters.

Geely positions the Xingyao 6 EF as a complement to battery electric and conventional hybrid models, focusing on cold climates and long-distance travel.

The company has invested in methanol technology research and development since 2005, building operations spanning production, storage, transportation, refueling and vehicle applications.

The model had already entered the commercial fleet market. Geely Holding Group chairman Eric Li said at a conference in October that more than 6,000 Xingyao 6 EF sedans had been deployed for ride-hailing, taxi services and official use.

The methanol refueling network is also expanding. Geely Holding senior vice president Victor Yang said at the same conference that China had built more than 1,400 methanol refueling stations of various types.

The launch comes as Galaxy sub-brand sales reach new highs. The brand sold 153,385 vehicles in October, up 20.32% year-on-year and exceeding 150,000 for the first time. Sales totaled 1,030,569 vehicles in the first 10 months of this year.