B100 biodiesel proven reliable in trials but supply limits and infrastructure gaps delay nationwide rollout in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s B100 biodiesel has proven its reliability in vehicle trials but supply shortages and infrastructure gaps make a nationwide rollout unrealistic for now, said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment senior lecturer Dr Muhammad Ammirrul Atiqi Mohd Zainuri.
He said trials conducted in Malaysia show that the 100% palm oil-based biodiesel can perform reliably in both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles.
Muhammad Ammirrul cited a 15-month passenger car trial covering more than 50,000km, along with a separate four-month tanker truck test, both of which were completed without major technical issues.
The trials were carried out by the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda) and FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV).
“From a technical standpoint, B100 is viable as a fuel for vehicles,” he said, adding that modern diesel engines are capable of handling it effectively.
He said technical viability, however, does not translate into immediate large-scale adoption.
“The biggest limitation is feedstock supply. Malaysia currently does not have sufficient crude palm oil reserves to support a nationwide rollout of B100.”
Muhammad Ammirrul said engine compatibility is not a major barrier as trials have already demonstrated reliable performance across different vehicle types.
He said the main obstacles lie in production capacity and infrastructure readiness.
“Current processing facilities are insufficient to meet large-scale demand. Significant expansion of biodiesel plants is required before any nationwide implementation can take place.”
He added that industry players such as Felda and FGV would need to scale up production, likely through a mix of government support and private sector investment.
Muhammad Ammirrul said while B100 performs well mechanically, it comes with trade-offs.
“Due to its lower energy density, vehicles running on B100 may experience a slight drop in fuel efficiency, requiring more fuel to travel the same distance.
“However, this is offset by cleaner combustion and significantly lower emissions, with trials showing carbon emission reductions of up to 70% in heavy-duty transport.
“B100 burns more completely and produces fewer pollutants, making it a cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.”
He cautioned that transitioning to B100 is not as simple as switching fuels, as it would require major upgrades to Malaysia’s fuel distribution system.
“B100’s chemical properties, such as its tendency to absorb moisture and act as a solvent, mean that existing pipelines, storage tanks and pumps would need to be retrofitted or replaced.
“A nationwide shift would require extensive cleaning of existing systems and upgrades to ensure material compatibility and fuel stability.”
He said B100 should be viewed as a medium-term transition fuel rather than a permanent solution.
“B100 acts as a vital bridge between today’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels and a future powered by electrification and hydrogen.
“Battery technology is still too heavy, and hydrogen remains costly for large-scale deployment in logistics, maritime and agriculture. B100 allows these sectors to cut emissions immediately using existing engines.
“Relying entirely on palm oil for fuel would face hard limits due to land availability and could compete with food supply while also raising deforestation concerns.”
