BEIJING - China will introduce trials of methanol-fueled cars in three provincial level regions for two to three years, the country's industrial authority announced Tuesday.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said in a statement that it will start the trials in the provinces of Shanxi and Shaanxi, and the municipality of Shanghai.

The statement said the three local authorities should carry out the trials of methanol-fueled cars on a prudent basis and put safety first.

After two or three years, the three regions should finish evaluations on the feasibility, reliability, economic efficiency, safety and environmental impacts of methanol-fueled cars, according to the statement.

The MIIT started research on vehicles fueled with methanol in 2009 in response to the rapid development of China's car industry, increasingly tight supplies of crude oil, as well as the requirements of energy conservation and emission reduction, the statement said.