The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (Geely Farizon) recently held a signing ceremony on the PolyU campus to officially establish the "PolyU–Farizon Transport and Energy Joint Laboratory" (the Joint Lab), focusing on industrial development policies in relation to methanol-electric technologies, promoting their development across technical, economic, and social dimensions, and building a new methanol ecosystem to help Hong Kong achieve its carbon neutrality goals.
PolyU possesses robust capabilities in engineering, construction, and environmental sciences. Its Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics (LSGI) has a proven track record in green transport, energy policy, and smart city development, generating significant impact in the low-carbon transport sector. This new collaboration will leverage PolyU interdisciplinary research capabilities to provide solid academic support for the emerging methanol ecosystem.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Prof. LI Xiangdong, Dean of the Faculty of Construction and Environment of PolyU; Mr Mike FAN, Chief Executive Officer of Geely Farizon; and Ms DAI Huifang, Principal of Geely Academy, Geely Holding Group. The MoU was signed by Prof. CHEN Wu, Head of LSGI at PolyU, and Dr SONG Zhaohuan, Vice President and Chief Brand Officer of Geely Farizon. A project agreement marking the official launch of research on methanol‑electric vehicles in Hong Kong was subsequently signed by Prof. ZHUGE Chengxiang, Assistant Professor of LSGI at PolyU, and Mr Jack YANG, Head of Hong Kong Project Team at Geely Farizon, in the presence of senior leaders and scholars from both sides.
In his welcoming remarks at the ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao said, "PolyU is delighted to join hands with Geely Farizon to embark on this new journey of industry-academia-research collaboration. This collaboration marks a crucial step forward in advancing Hong Kong's green and low-carbon transportation, contributing directly to the carbon neutrality targets set out in the 'Hong Kong Climate Action Plan 2050'. By leveraging PolyU's strengths in scientific and policy research alongside Geely Farizon's deep industry expertise, we aim to provide evidence-based policy recommendations for green transport governance and offer citizens cleaner, more efficient travel options."
Mr Mike Fan stated, "PolyU brings together top global research talent and features deep industry-academia integration, making it one of the most pioneering and influential universities in Hong Kong. PolyU and Geely Farizon share a highly aligned vision for green transportation. Together, we will write a new chapter in energy transition for Hong Kong, promote high-quality green development in the Greater Bay Area, and bring Chinese solutions to the global stage."
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is actively promoting the green transformation of vehicles and increasing the proportion of renewable energy usage. The Government's initiatives create a favourable innovation environment for developing a methanol ecosystem in Hong Kong. Backed by Geely Farizon's industry resources and PolyU research expertise, the Joint Lab will focus on three major research directions: research on policies for promoting and popularising methanol-electric technologies in the public transport sector; development of a smart energy supply operation platform tailored to Hong Kong's green transport policies and urban traffic scenarios; and feasible solutions and advisory reports for the local introduction of methanol-electric vehicles. Furthermore, methanol-electric industry-academia-research fund and expert network will be established to provide comprehensive support for the effective integration of transportation and energy.
Since initiating their partnership last year, PolyU and Geely Farizon have rapidly advanced exploratory work on methanol-electric applications in Hong Kong, in the areas of transportation, and methanol trade, storage, and refuelling. At the Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development Forum 2026, both parties witnessed the launch of the "Global Methanol-Electric Ecosystem Alliance", of which they are both members. The Alliance's first core event will be held in Hong Kong this June, showcasing the latest developments in the methanol-electric industrial ecosystem and demonstrating to the world the robust technological strength and ecological advantages of China's methanol-electric solutions.
