Kehinde Fajobi
The Malaysian government’s plan to phase out natural gas-powered vehicles by July 2025 has sparked strong reactions in Nigeria, particularly as the country promotes Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a safer and more affordable alternative to petrol.
Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Loke Siew Fook, unveiled measures aimed at discontinuing the use of CNG vehicles, citing safety concerns.
According to Loke, starting July 1, 2025, vehicles powered by Compressed Natural Gas (NGV in Malaysia) will no longer be allowed to be registered for use in the country.
Loke explained that this decision was made for the safety of road users and the public, pointing out that the current number of CNG vehicles in Malaysia is about 44,383, which accounts for only 0.2% of all vehicles, excluding motorcycles.
He added, “The NGV tanks of these vehicles are now reaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced, and NGV tanks typically have a safe usage period of 15 years.”
In response to the announcement, Nigerian energy expert Onanuga clarified that Malaysia’s policy is focused on the safety concerns surrounding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), not CNG.
Onanuga also highlighted the inefficacy of Malaysia’s shift away from petrol and diesel, noting that only 0.2% of vehicles were converted to CNG over 15 years, while Nigeria has made significant advancements in tank manufacturing capacity, positioning the country as a key player in the transition.
On Tuesday, Onanuga posted on X, “Some clarification on Malaysia’s plan to phase out CNG-powered vehicles. The Malaysian issue relates to the safety of LPG, NOT CNG. In the original report, Transport
“Minister Anthony Loke stated, ‘There are also some car owners who have modified their vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are very dangerous.’”
He continued, “NGV covers both CNG and LPG. Nigeria, in its transition, has adopted CNG ONLY, not both, due to valid safety and cost concerns regarding LPG.
“Malaysia’s programme for CNG-powered vehicles struggled, achieving only a 0.2% conversion rate over 15 years. By contrast, nations like India, China, Iran, and Egypt have seen considerable success.”
Onanuga further explained, “The end of the 15-year CNG tank cycle means they need to replace tanks, and it was easier/cheaper to scrap their program and continue with their petrol than to do so if they had not built tank manufacturing capacity, which Nigeria is already developing in year one.”