The Malaysian government has announced plans to phase out the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, also known locally as natural gas vehicles (NGV), and to end the sale of NGV vehicles by 2025. The announcement was made by Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Loke Siew Fook, during a recent press conference, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
Under the new policy, CNG-powered vehicles will no longer be permitted to register or operate in Malaysia starting from July 1, 2025. Additionally, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), Malaysia’s state-owned oil and gas company, will begin a gradual cessation of CNG sales at its stations on the same date.
Minister Fook cited safety concerns as a key reason for the phase-out, noting that only 44,383 NGVs are currently in use, representing a mere 0.2% of the country’s vehicles, excluding motorcycles. He highlighted that many of the NGV tanks are reaching the end of their 15-year service life, necessitating replacement to ensure safety.
The minister also expressed concerns over modified vehicles that use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which pose significant safety risks. He noted that some vehicles with these modifications have caused explosions during accidents.
The phase-out is expected to help restore safety on Malaysian roads, ensuring that outdated CNG systems and hazardous modifications are removed from circulation.
