Methanol-to-hydrogen emerges as new refueling option as hydrogen passenger vehicles retreat

2025 is being regarded as the "year of demystification" for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as the global industry faces a widespread slowdown. Although China had previously made significant strategic investments, its current market share is now nearly negligible, with limited applications confined primarily to specific heavy-duty truck scenarios. Hydrogen refueling stations are普遍 operating at a loss, signaling a return to rationality across the sector. Experts argue that hydrogen should focus more on energy replenishment infrastructure and distributed power generation rather than directly powering passenger vehicles. As battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles dominate the market, the Chinese government has shifted its strategy toward advancing an integrated “wind-solar-hydrogen-ammonia-methanol” system, officially designating hydrogen as a key future industry in the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). Methanol-based hydrogen production—capable of avoiding hydrogen embrittlement and offering easier storage and transportation—may emerge as a critical solution to urban grid load challenges and the issue of curtailed wind and solar power in western regions. Microgrids combined with methanol-enabled hydrogen transport are expected to underpin a new energy system, supporting China’s dual carbon goals.