Four 100 per cent methanol-powered Geely trucks are now operating on Trinidad and Tobago’s roads, in what Proman and Dumore Enterprises say is the first deployment of the vehicles outside China.
The companies launched the trucks last evening at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), following approval from the Transport Commission for the vehicles to operate on public and private roads.
Dumore has been using the four Farizon G2 trucks to transport industrial goods since July 21. They have travelled more than 17,000 kilometres and refuelled 41 times at Proman’s methanol production facilities at Point Lisas.
More than 20 tonnes of methanol have been used in the pilot so far.
The companies said the trucks have generated about 14 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than an equivalent diesel fleet. Nitric oxide emissions were reduced by 42 per cent and carbon monoxide by 98 per cent, while sulphur oxide emissions were eliminated.
Proman estimates the pilot has avoided about 3.7 tonnes of CO₂e emissions compared with conventional diesel trucks.
Proman CEO David Cassidy described the launch as a milestone for T&T and the wider use of methanol in road transport.
“This launch is an important milestone for Trinidad and Tobago, and for the wider adoption of methanol as a cleaner, practical fuel for road transport,” Cassidy said.
He said the pilot demonstrates that methanol produced in Trinidad can be used to power vehicles locally while creating additional demand for the fuel and potential opportunities in the Caribbean.
Proman Trinidad executive director Anand Ragbir said the trucks could help reduce diesel imports while creating another market for locally produced methanol.
“This is a very exciting moment for Proman, Trinidad and road transportation,” Ragbir said.
“These four trucks represent a huge opportunity – to improve air quality, to reduce imports of expensive and polluting diesel, and to provide a new export market for Trinidad’s methanol.”
Dumore Enterprises CEO Alex Jodhan said the pilot was intended to generate practical data on the use of methanol in heavy transportation.
“Transition won’t happen overnight. It is a combination of risk-taking and incremental steps towards adopting technology that improves our impact on the environment,” Jodhan said.
He said the data collected from the trucks would help inform future policy and regulatory frameworks.
“For the first time in the Western Hemisphere, Methanol is powering the movement of heavy cargo,” Jodhan said.
