What would you do if your everyday vehicle was banned for being considered unsafe?
This is a bitter reality that Malaysians have to face when the government announced the complete end of services and use of natural gas (NGV) energy and vehicles powered by NGV fuel are banned from registration and licensing from 1 July 2025.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, who emphasized safety as the main factor behind this decision.
This decision, supported by the Cabinet on October 2, was taken after reviewing reports on aging NGV tanks.
According to Loke in a press conference on the NGV Usage Policy, the Tank has a safe usage life of around 15 years and if not replaced, will cause serious risks.
The concern is heightened when there are users who modify their vehicles by using cooking gas (LPG) cylinders, which are much more dangerous.
This is because LPG tanks can only hold pressure up to 7 bar (100 psi), compared to NGV tanks which can withstand pressure up to 220 bar (3,200 psi).
Statistics show there are 44,383 active NGV vehicles in Malaysia, the majority of which are petrol vehicles modified for dual-fuel use, representing only 0.2% of the total number of registered vehicles.
Between 2008 and 2024, there were six incidents involving NGV vehicles, including a tragic fire in Bangkok that claimed 23 lives, believed to be caused by the illegal installation of NGV cylinders.
In line with this government order, PETRONAS will also phase out NGV supply by the same date.
For affected vehicle owners, the government will launch the NGV Vehicle Transition Assistance Program, providing support in adapting to these changes.
This initiative will not only revamp the road safety landscape in Malaysia but also emphasize stricter supervision of gas-powered vehicles.
With this step, is Malaysia ready for the transformation of a new era in road safety?
