The project set out to establish a European standard for methanol fuel and to optimise its use in internal‑combustion engines. The research combined analytical testing, material compatibility studies, and real‑engine trials to determine whether the maritime IMPCA methanol standard could be applied directly to road vehicles or whether additives were required for cold‑start performance, storage stability and material compatibility. Initial experiments were carried out on a hardware‑in‑the‑loop test rig and a single‑cylinder engine, before the findings were transferred to a prototype engine. In parallel, methanol‑benzene blends (M15) were evaluated in a production engine to assess their potential as a short‑term “drop‑in” solution for decarbonising road transport. The study also examined the possibility of sector coupling with maritime transport to create synergies.

Analytical methods were validated for methanol fuel. Water content, acid number, oxidation stability, density, viscosity, ignition temperature and other key parameters were measured. The results showed that the fuel met the required specifications for density (≈0.79 kg L⁻¹), viscosity (≈0.6 cSt at 40 °C), water content (≤0.05 wt %), acid number (≤0.5 mg KOH g⁻¹) and oxidation stability (≥30 h at 120 °C). Compatibility with engine oil was assessed by mixing methanol with standard engine oil and measuring changes in density, viscosity, water content, flash point, base number and lubricity. The mixed samples remained within acceptable limits: density changes were below 2 %, viscosity changes below 5 %, water content stayed below 0.1 wt %, flash point remained above 60 °C, base number was unchanged, and lubricity measurements showed no significant degradation. Metal corrosion tests on steel coupons and polymer compatibility tests on elastomers and thermoplastics revealed no accelerated degradation after exposure to methanol or the M15 blend. Aging studies on both engine oil and fuel samples stored for 12 months at 40 °C showed stable physical and chemical properties, indicating good long‑term stability.

The project was carried out by the Open Research Institute (OWI) in close collaboration with Tec4Fuels GmbH and other industrial and research partners from five European countries. OWI, an independent, non‑profit research institute affiliated with RWTH Aachen, coordinated the work and provided analytical facilities. Tec4Fuels contributed expertise in fuel formulation and engine testing. The consortium operated under five work packages covering analytical validation, material compatibility, engine testing, aging studies and standardisation. Funding was provided through public research programmes, with the project aligning with European decarbonisation goals. The collaboration ensured that the technical findings could be translated into practical recommendations for manufacturers and regulators, supporting the development of a harmonised methanol fuel standard for road transport.