Hangzhou-headquartered automobile developer and producer Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) has launched a methanol-hydrogen electric multi-purpose riverboat, marking the expansion of the Group’s methanol-hydrogen electric drive technology to the marine sector.
The Yuanchun 001, launched in Hangzhou, is a 64 TEU multi-purpose river transport ship powered by two 280kW methanol generators and two 258kWh lithium batteries.
With a combined range of nearly 1,500 km and a dual 150kW motor, the vessel can operate in multiple modes including hybrid, generators only, pure electric, or shore charging.
“The successful launch of the vessel show that river transport not only can be cleaner and quieter, but also more economical,” the company said.
As it is reported, the Yuanchun 001 uses Geely’s independently developed methanol-hydrogen hybrid electric drive system.
Photo credit: Geely Holding
The company has over 20 years of methanol expertise and has partnered with companies across multiple sectors to establish a comprehensive green methanol ecosystem encompassing carbon capture, green methanol production, methanol transportation, refuelling, and various methanol vehicle applications.
By the end of June 2025, over 800 methanol refuelling stations have been established in China with over 4,000 expected to be built by 2027.
Geely Holding says that to date there are 120,000 gasoline and diesel refuelling stations in China which can be retrofitted for methanol.
