The Malaysian government plans to stop using compressed natural gas (CNG) in cars because of safety issues and the fact that CNG tanks have reached the end of their 15-year life. This decision was shared by Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook, and it will start on July 1, 2025.
Minister Fook said the primary concern is the safety risk associated with CNG tanks, which have been used for 15 years and need to be replaced. Additionally, some car owners have changed their cars to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks, which can be very dangerous in accidents.
“The natural gas tanks in these vehicles are nearing the end of their useful life and must be replaced,” Minister Fook stated. “We cannot risk public safety, so this decision is essential to avoid any possible dangers.”
To help those affected, the government has put together a support package. This includes a one-time RM3,000 e-voucher for taxi drivers through Petronas’s Setel mobile app, free removal of natural gas kits for dual-fuel vehicle owners at certain workshops, and a one-time payment based on the vehicle’s current value for those with vehicles powered solely by natural gas.
The process will start on July 1, 2025, and will include these main steps:
- – Cars that run on CNG will no longer be allowed to be registered or used in Malaysia.
- – Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) will halt CNG sales at its stations in stages.
Malaysia started using CNG in the late 1990s for taxis and airport limousines. Right now, there are about 44,383 vehicles that use natural gas, which is only 0.2% of all vehicles in the country, not counting motorcycles.
Minister Fook promised that payments from the support package will be given within three to seven business days after receiving the vehicle’s certificate of destruction and deregistration slip.
