Malaysia ramps up biodiesel use amid soaring energy bills

Asia Rising fuel subsidies and global supply disruptions are pushing the country to accelerate biodiesel adoption. Ground crew refuel a mobile luggage conveyor with B20 biodiesel at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia May 29, 2025. (File photo: REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain) This audio is generated by an AI tool. KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is ramping up its use of biodiesel as it grapples with soaring energy costs and as it seeks to reduce reliance on fuel imports. Backed by its vast palm oil industry, the country is pushing for higher biofuel blends as a longer-term solution to volatile global energy markets. With the government spending more than US$1.8 billion each month to subsidise ballooning fuel costs, pressure is mounting to find viable alternatives. Biofuels are produced from biomass, with palm oil among the key feedstocks, alongside crops such as corn, sugarcane and soybeans. The alternative fuel has become more attractive as it is now cheaper than ...