Malaysia has decided to mandate Euro 4 fuel standards by September 2015 and to progress to Euro 5 by 2020. Meanwhile, a previously announced requirement that fuels contain 7 percent biodiesel was scheduled to take effect last week.
According to the Malaysian Automotive Institute, part of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Euro 4 Ron97 fuels will be available by September 2015, and Euro 4 RON 95 fuels by October 2018. Euro fuel standards were developed by the European Union.
The Malaysian government will also require the sale of Euro 5 diesel by September 2020 while Euro 5 RON 95 fuels and Euro 5 RON 97 fuels sales will be enforceable by September 2025.
However, to meet Singapores emission requirements for vehicles going into the country from Johor, a Malaysian state next to Singapore, BH Petrol, [a fuel retailer owned by Boustead Holdings Berhad,] started selling Euro 5 diesel in Johor at the end of last year and will be expanding its availability to other states in the country. [Energy company] Petronas will also be increasing its availability to more stations from the current one in Johor, a spokesman from the institute told Lube Report Asia.
Currently, the fuel used in Malaysia is required to meet the Euro 2 standard. Higher quality fuel will help meet Singapores smoke opacity standard of 40 Hartridge Smoke Units or lower. Use of higher-standard fuels typically require higher quality engine lubricants.
The B7 biodiesel program was fully implemented in Peninsular Malaysia in December 2014, and fuel retailers in the rest of the country will be required to carry B7 by the end of January.B7 is diesel that contains 7 percent palm oil.
According to Plantations, Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, The production of B7 biodiesel will use a total of 138,000 tons of palm biodiesel per year once the program is fully implemented nationwide, with an estimated consumption of 576,000 tons of biodiesel per year.
Biofuel used in Malaysia is made from palm oil, and the Malaysian government expects the program to bring about an increase in domestic consumption of raw palm oil. Studies on biofuels showed a reduction in wear but its tendency to accumulate in engine oil sumps affects performance due to lubricant dilution.