Currently, Malaysia is already selling B7 biodiesel at the pumps for both Euro 2M diesel and Euro 5 diesel (7 per cent methyl ester with 93 per cent diesel). BARC will be assisting the government to roll out the B10 initiative which is already in its final stage.
MAI will be working together with various government agencies such as Department of Environment, Malaysia Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Road Transport Department and the Ministry of Primary Industries.
"Biofuel is not only greener, it is also more efficient dan rewards the environment with better emission standards," Madani explained while interviewed in Jakarta yesterday.
"Since the focus will be more on the transport sector, car companies are invited to join the research," Madani continued.
"BARC is inline with the National Automotive Policy as one of the key points is to come out with the national standards and policies for the automotive industry. Hopefully, the palm oil based biofuel standards will be used globally."
Malaysia and Indonesia are the only two countries using palm oil based biodiesel. Not a surprise as the two countries are the world's leading palm oil producers, with Indonesia at the top spot followed by Malaysia.
Last year, Malaysia has announced that it will be rolling out the B10 biodiesel at its pumps but the automotive players have voiced out their worries as the fuel has not been approved by any of the car companies.
MPOB has carried out research and testing but unfortunately the data was not recognised by the industry. This raised concern from the consumers as they were afraid the use of B10 biodiesel would affect their vehicles and warranties.
MAI's decision could not come at a better time as the agency which is directly under MITI has just signed up a Memorandum of Agreement with Indonesian Automotive Institute (IOI) and biofuel research is one of the key areas.
Indonesia has been using B20 biodiesel since 2016 and the country will soon be pushing the limit to B30. Data from Indonesia can be used to help come the research.
"Malaysia too will slowly move towards higher biofuel content in the future. We began with B7 and soon we would move on to B10, B15 and later B20. The research centre is therefore definitely required," Madani was quoted before ending the interview.