Chinese carmaker Geely has unveiled an unusual new plug-in hybrid sedan capable of running on petrol, electricity or methanol, which is a type of alcohol that could provide an alternative to fossil fuels. Known as the Geely Galaxy Starshine 6 EF in China, and based on the Emgrand L EM-i confirmed for an Australian release in 2027, the new sedan is claimed to offer a driving range of up to 1880km while costing the equivalent of less than $17,000 in its home market.

Unlike conventional plug-in hybrids, which combine a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery, the Starshine 6 EF features a specially developed 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine capable of running on petrol, methanol or a mixture of both fuels.

Front three-quarter view of a silver-gray car on a white exhibition floor at a Subaru booth during a car show, with banners in the background.
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Methanol is an alcohol-based fuel that can be produced using renewable sources and captured carbon dioxide. Although it can be used in internal combustion engines, it requires specialised fuel systems and is much less common than petrol or diesel – at least, for now.

Geely claims its new engine produces 93kW and achieves a thermal efficiency of 48.15 per cent, making it one of the most efficient combustion engines currently in production. It also features a 350-bar direct injection system designed to allow the engine to operate in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius.

The engine is paired with a 140kW electric motor and a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, while buyers can choose between 17kWh or 28.3kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. Depending on the version, electric-only driving range is rated at between 130km and 230km under China’s more generous CLTC testing cycle.

However, its combined driving range offers the headline figure as Geely claims the Starshine 6 EF can travel up to 1250km with a full tank of methanol and a charged battery, increasing to an impressive 1880km when running on petrol.

Three-quarter front view of a metallic blue SUV driving on a winding coastal highway with a rocky shore on the left and a green hillside.
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The company also claims methanol consumption of 6.7L/100km and the fuel costs approximately 2.9 yuan (around $0.60 at current exchange rates) per litre in China, which Geely says equates to approximately $4 per 100km when running on methanol. The company has also invested heavily in methanol tech, with more than 1400 refuelling stations launched across China to accommodate its new alternative fuel-powered vehicles.

The Starshine 6 EF starts at 86,800 yuan (approximately A$18,500) in China. While the brand has been expanding in Australia with both electric and hybrid vehicles, it’s unlikely the new powertrain will be offered locally given the lack of public methanol refuelling infrastructure, at least for now.

Nevertheless, the Starshine 6 EF shows that Geely is looking beyond EVs and hybrids as it explores alternative ways of reducing the automotive industry’s reliance on fossil fuels.