The government has finally launched its B20 biodiesel programme for the transportation sector today, having implemented the fuel – which consists of 20% palm methyl ester and 80% regular diesel – in Langkawi and Labuan last month. From there, its availability will be expanded in stages starting in Sarawak in April and Sabah in August before eventually being rolled out across Peninsular Malaysia by June 2021.
The new fuel will replace B10 biodiesel (which was only introduced last February) at over 3,400 stations nationwide, except in the Cameron and Genting Highlands in Pahang and Kundasang in Sabah where B7 biodiesel will continue to be used. Retailers will also continue to offer B7 Euro 5 diesel at selected stations.
According to the ministry of primary industries (MPI), the government aims to encourage the use of domestic palm oil and stabilise prices with the move, which is expected to increase the consumption of palm oil by 534,000 tonnes a year to around 1.3 million tonnes a year. This is expected to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted by as much as 3.8 million tonnes a year, the ministry said.
Minister Teresa Kok said the agency has worked with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to conduct field testing with Selangor city councils in Kajang, Subang Jaya, Ampang Jaya, Shah Alam and Selayang. Carmakers and distributors such as Tan Chong Industrial Equipment (TCIE) and Hyundai Sime Darby Motors, as well as transportation companies like FGV Transport and SOP Transport, also participated.
“Thirty-five of MPI and MPOB’s own vehicles in Putrajaya and MPOB headquarters have also been using B20 fuel since June 2019 without any issues reported until now,” she said, adding that the Kuala Lumpur city council (DBKL) will commence B30 biodiesel field testing with MPOB this June with 30 to 50 vehicles, as part of its goal of becoming a low-carbon city.
Kok also said that the ministry, MPOB and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) have conducted studies of B20 biodiesel on Euro 5 diesel vehicles, together with experts at Mazda Malaysia and the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and Internet of Things Institute (MARii).
The tests, which are supported by the road transport department (JPJ) and the department of environment (JAS), consists of two parts. Lab tests conducted at the Japan Automotive Research Institute (JARI) are expected to be completed in April, while local field tests will use two units of the Mazda CX-5.
As for compatibility with local vehicles, Kok said that the ministry of international trade and industry (MITI) has already issued a directive to car dealers and manufacturers requiring all imported vehicles to be compatible with B20 biodiesel, starting from January 1. This directive, she said, is part of the new National Automotive Policy (NAP), which will be revealed tomorrow.
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May I know why not to be sold in the colder places like Cameron highlands, genting and kundasang? Any reason behind it? Too cold to be used?
too cold, the palm oil will become jelly
What will happen if u pump in fuel at low land and going to Cameron Highland or Kundasang for few days?
Should move away from diesel and bio-diesel altogether for the near future. NAP should insist no more NEW internal combustion engined vehicles by 2030…. and phase it all out by 2050.
Promote electric vehicles development…!
Only kok commented b20 is good. What’s about car manufacturers comment?
Before introducing b10, they commented a lot. Look like now they put to silent. How long field test conducted, by who?
Welp, it might help the palm oil industry and environment somewhat, but it is certainly not gonna help the fuel injectors and engine.
Nothing BIO in this marketing thing. Good for selling Palm Oil with some greenwashing. Bad for cars and environment.
So obvious this is to cover our Government’s failure to promote and defend palm oil use. Dang! I knew PH were green but I didn’t expect they were incompetent too!
Just trying to process the unsold palm oil to india into Bio 20.
Europe rejected Bio fuel so Malaysia cannot sue Europe even talking big about suing Europe.
We all know country like Norway is moving towards full electrification ( going Green fully). Same goes for UK in 2035, France, Sweden and the rest of europe to follow suit.
Nobody is investing into Bio Diesel engines now in Europe
Maybe Donald trump can take up this bio diesel since he is against EV but more to fossil Fuel person.
Please do not forget to export it to USA too!! Oh forgotten, African nations too ( South South dialogue previously).