FG allay fears over the safety of CNG vehicles as Malaysia move to ban Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) by July 2025.

NGV is a vehicle that uses Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as fuel instead of petrol or diesel.

SpAds to the President on Information and Strategy clarified that Malaysia’s policy was centered on the safety of LPG.

He added that Nigeria chose CNG specifically for its safety and cost-effectiveness.

The Presidency has allayed fears over the safety of Compressed Natural Gas-powered vehicles, amid plans by Malaysian Government to phase out Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) by July 2025 as reported by local media source, Free Malaysia Today.

A Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) is a vehicle that uses Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as fuel instead of the more expensive petrol (gasoline) or diesel.

Per the report, Malaysia’s Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, explained that the decision was intended to protect road users and the public from the potential hazards posed by ageing CNG tanks.

Loke was quoted as saying :

“The NGV tanks of these vehicles are now reaching the end of their service life and need to be replaced,” adding that NGV tanks typically have a safe usage period of 15 years.

Reacting to the development, the Bayo Onanuga, clarified that Malaysia’s policy was centered on the safety of LPG, adding that Nigeria chose CNG specifically for its safety and cost-effectiveness.

“Some clarification on the plan by Malaysia to phase out CNG powered vehicles : 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. NGV covers both CNG and LPG. Nigeria in its transition has adopted CNG ONLY not both because of LPG valid safety and cost concerns.”

He noted that Malaysia basically had an unsuccessful transition away from costly and dirtier petrol and diesel due due to the conversion of 45,000 vehicles in 15 years (less than 0.2%).

“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.”

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