Diesel vehicle owners in Malaysia say they are willing to try the country’s upcoming B15 biodiesel blend if it delivers meaningful savings at the pump, though many remain cautious about its potential impact on engine performance, The Star reported.
Businessman Desmond Wong, who owns a diesel pick-up truck, said he was prepared to give B15 a chance as a cleaner and more affordable fuel option, even though he acknowledged some uncertainty about its effect on engines built for regular diesel. “I am willing to try it, especially if it is cheaper than the hefty price of diesel I am paying now,” he said.
Negri Sembilan Lorry Operators Association treasurer Alvin Loke said he was open to trying B15 but remained sceptical of claims that it would have no impact on fuel systems. He noted that many association members are still unfamiliar with biodiesel and how it works, and called on relevant authorities to share more information to help promote wider adoption.
Tow truck operator Md Yusof Yahaya said he would try B15 cautiously, noting that only extended use would reveal its true effect. He added that diesel engine repairs are costlier than those for petrol engines, which made him especially mindful of any risks from switching fuels.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Faculty of Science adjunct professor Datuk Omar Shawkatally said extensive local and international research has established that biodiesel is safe for use in diesel vehicles, and that continued advances in engine technology are expected to further improve compatibility over time. He said biodiesel represents the way forward given its environmental benefits and the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves. “With the price of diesel soaring due to the global energy crisis, this is the way to go. What we need is renewable energy, not one that is heading towards depletion,” he said.
A study by the United States-based Society of Automobile Engineers International found that B15 biodiesel maintained stable engine performance, power, and torque, with only minor variations in fuel injection timing and in-cylinder pressure, and no significant operational issues during testing. The study concluded that B15 demonstrated good compatibility with modern diesel engines.
The Malaysian government has said it plans to roll out the B15 biodiesel mandate with more than 70 per cent of blending depots already ready for implementation, according to earlier reports by The Star.