Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Malaysia’s Decision to Phase Out CNG Vehicles

By Iyojo Ameh

The Malaysian government has announced its plan to phase out compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles by July 1, 2025, which will mark the end of new CNG vehicle registrations.

This policy change also extends to natural gas vehicles (NGV), covering both CNG and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered vehicles.

Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Loke Siew Fook, expressed that the decision was driven by safety concerns, particularly around LPG cylinders used in modified vehicles.

The government highlighted that many of these cylinders are over 15 years old, adding to the safety risks associated with aging CNG equipment.

In response to the announcement, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu, clarified that Malaysia’s focus is more on the safety issues surrounding LPG rather than CNG itself.

He pointed out that while Malaysia has struggled to transition successfully away from petrol and diesel, Nigeria’s move toward CNG remains distinct due to its focus on safety and cost-effectiveness.

Onanuga also noted that Nigeria is already developing the necessary infrastructure, including tank manufacturing, to ensure a safer and more sustainable CNG transition.

The statement released by Onanuga on x (formerly known as Twitter) reads, “Some clarification on the plan by Malaysia to phase out CNG powered vehicles:

“1. The Malaysian issue speaks more to the safety of LPG NOT safety of CNG. In the original report, government transport minister Anthony Loke said:

“There are also some car owners who have modified their vehicles using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are very dangerous.

“The report also spoke about the safety of 15 year-old CNG cylinders.

“2. NGV covers both CNG and LPG. Nigeria in its transition has adopted CNG ONLY not both because of LPG valid safety and cost concerns

“3.Malaysia basically had an unsuccessful transition away from costly and dirtier petrol and diesel.

“Conversion of 45,000 vehicles in 15 years (less than 0.2%) is not enviable unlike India, China, Iran and Egypt.

“The end of 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.”