I read with relief our Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that the Cabinet has decided for Petronas to gradually end its retail of natural gas supply in Malaysia, with a complete phase-out effective July 1, 2025. Hence, motor vehicles powered by natural gas (NGV) will no longer be permitted for registration or licensing for use on Malaysian roads starting from July 1, 2025,
Natural gas is a fossil fuel containing primarily 95% methane. Under ambient conditions, methane is a non-liquefiable gas. Hence, when filled into cylinders, the gas pressure in the cylinder is close to 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi), which is extremely high compared to the normal industrial oxygen gas cylinder, which has a pressure of 2,500 psi.Most cylinders in natural gas vehicles are fibre-wrapped aluminium cylinders designed for filling with natural gases. They do not have a fixed lifespan. Industrial gas cylinders undergo hydrostatic tests every five years.
