The implementation of B10 biodiesel in Malaysia is kicking around again two years after it was put on the backburner, but it is still receiving flak more than five years after it was first mooted. This time, the opposition comes from the Pan-Malaysia Lorry Owners’ Association 1987 (PMLOA), which has released a statement listing its reservations regarding the new fuel standard.
According to the organisation, most owners have already indicated to the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC) that the lorries used in Malaysia will only be able to run on a maximum biodiesel formulation of B7, and that many emissions control equipment such as diesel particulate filters (DPF) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems won’t be able to run on biodiesel content higher than seven percent.
Several other issues were raised by PMLOA, including concerns of higher oxygen and water content potentially causing fuel tanks to rust and the degradation of nitrile rubber fuel line hoses that could cause fuel leaks. It also said that the higher viscosity of biodiesel could put a strain on the fuel pump and injectors. This could affect performance, increase emissions and fuel consumption and eventually cause the components to fail, resulting in injector replacement costs of between RM3,000 to RM10,000 each, said PMLOA.
Additionally, PMLOA said that the implementation of B10 biodiesel would require extensive engine modifications, such as the replacement of fuel hoses, tanks, injectors and filters; particulate filters may also need to be removed, which would increase emissions. The cost of the modifications, PMLOA said, could be prohibitive for lorry operators if B10 biodiesel comes into effect.
The fuel could also have an effect on maintenance. Advancements in lubricant technology have enabled lorries to run for longer between oil changes – from 10,000 km to 60,000 km intervals – thanks to specially-formulated lubricants. This, said PMLOA, has improved lorry runtime and reduced oil and filter wastage.
The association said that the palm methyl ester biofuel used in biodiesel could dilute the lubricants and cause them to turn acidic, resulting in engine corrosion and an overall increase in operating costs. It also cited studies showing that the use of biodiesel increases nitrogen oxide emissions, which would be hazardous to public health.
Lastly, PMLOA cast doubt on the petroleum companies’ ability to restrict water content in the fuel to the stated limit of 200 parts per million (ppm), and check for oxygen stability after blending. It also raised the issue of responsibility in case of defects in the biodiesel.
The association said that Indonesia has received negative feedback from its implementation of B20 biodiesel, with reports of injector issues and filter clogging. It said that as such, it is not the right time to introduce B10 biodiesel until the problems it raised are resolved, especially as there are not enough transparent and reliable studies on biodiesel and its short-term and long-term effects on engine performance and reliability.
It should be noted that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) completed a long-term field test on B10 biodiesel in conjunction with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) last year, clocking up over three million kilometres in just over three and a half years without any breakdowns. It involved 50 vehicles of various sizes and engine capacity, from pick-up trucks and five-tonne lorries to vans, heavy machinery and excavators.
It has also confirmed that should B10 biodiesel be introduced in Malaysia, it would be limited to Euro 2M diesel, while the cleaner Euro 5 diesel and diesel fuels sold in highlands such as Cameron and Genting Highlands will remain on a B7 formulation.
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Yes they completed long term tests but those are internal tests with no accreditation from any regulated body so how are the public and associations gonna trust their verdict??
Don’t even look at Biodiesel. Malaysia has not even banned Euro 2 Diesel yet.
90% of all Diesel vehicles still using dirty filthy poisonous and toxic Euro 2 diesel despite Euro 5 diesel being available.
So, don’t talk about Biodiesel. Euro 2 standards was abandoned in Europe in 1994, that was 24 years ago because the EU found Euro 2 to be poison
Some of these lorry/big rig operators like to complain and yet, they still use ancient 1970s and 80s models which put out extreme amounts of exhaust smoke. Sometimes, the smoke is so thick, it looks like the kind of smoke screen you see in a James Bond movie. I’ve even seen lorries blowing out ‘dense’ white smoke (burning coolant).
Realise that just one of these cancer vending machines on wheels can put out more toxic pollutants than a thousand Perodua Axias. Also realise that a commercial lorry could easily travel up to 50,000 km a year (eg. North-South highway Penang to JB round-trip). The average Malaysian drives around 15,000 km a year.
If the government is so serious about protecting the environment, don’t force us to buy hybrid cars, because why should we ? When you still allow lorry operators to keep ancient lorries on the roads ? The same can be said about bus operators. KL is full of ancient cancerous buses.
I hope the new Pakatan government will crack down on these operators. Do not believe their excuses. They just want to keep their fat profit margins by keeping their 30/40 year old lorries running. Instead, give them incentives to upgrade to cleaner, greener Isuzu Elf and Mitsubishi Fuso lorries. Even some Chinese lorries are quite good. But please, no more old Nissan Diesel lorries. Ok ?
I propose this letter should be sent to M’sian Lorry Association (PMLOA), Transport Minister & Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities (MPIC) bcoz its well written & factual.
There is one way to push this through… charge it at RM0.50 per liter for one year trail and see the demand and effects. Those that want to try can try and see if it’s suitable.
stupid comment. first one year is not long enough to observe the negative effects on the vehicle. second, who will fund this subsidy? government or the palm oil producers ?
Biodiesel will definitely increase fuel consumption compare to fossil fuel . That is the fact. Nobody wants increase cost in their business.
Really how so?
You have to be aware that why is diesel more fuel efficient than petrol engines first. Not just because of high compression ratio and compressed ignition alone. Diesel fuel itself contains more energy content than gasoline due to being a longer chain of hydrocarbon in the first place. Organic based palm oil diesel has much less energy content than fossil fuel
they still used Tata lorries of the 60’s…no wonder cant accept the B10!!!
on the contrary the new Scania/Volvo/Man trucks cant run B10 either. :)