Scania with B100 Biodiesel from Shell proven to be suitable for KPD operations and to reduce CO2 emissions

Back in November 2023, Scania (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Scania) and Shell Malaysia Trading Sdn Bhd (Shell) launched the pilot test of the first pair of Scania road tankers, operated by Konsortium Port Dickson Sdn Bhd (KPD), running solely on B100 Biodiesel. After several months of trial, the results are in:

• Confirmed to be reducing carbon emissions by up to 70 percent
• Suitable for heavy haulage with adjustment in driving behaviour
• No issues with the truck if the vehicle is equipped accordingly
• Suitable alternative, considering locally made product
• Positive impact on major parts of the supply chain

Globally, Shell is working towards achieving zero CO2 emissions by 2050. According to Mr. Richard Tee Chu Wong, Managing Director of Konsortium Port Dickson Sdn Bhd., KPD is honoured to be working with such partners like Shell and Scania to be contributing to these ambitions. Through their contributions, the entire ecosystem will benefit from the insights that have been gained through this trial. “It is a collective effort to be responsible for the environment.” In the local context, Tee sees it as the company’s duty to do as much as possible to protect the environment in and around Melaka as that is where it is housed and operates. “Again, we have to point out that the main issue is the reduction of CO2, which we achieve by using B100, up to 70 percent,” Tee added.

Tee said that they are honoured to be part of this trial as it is part of a greater effort to make the transportation industry more sustainable. Of KPD’s fleet, some 50 percent of vehicles are Scania-branded. Thanks to this, setting aside two units to run solely on B100 Biodiesel allows the participating parties to effectively monitor the trial, gathering reliable information. Tee reenforced that the trucks had been used vehicles and thus, if anyone would want to also use B100, could possibly retrofit the vehicles without having to invest in new trucks.

According to Azman from Road Transport Team of Shell, the use of 100 percent Biodiesel would be a niche offering at this point in time, however, there are applications that are very well suited to make use of this alternative. “There are currently a few projects underway where Biodiesel is being tried.” The choice for KPD was made easy by the fact that the company is using a lot of Scania trucks, which have been known to be FAME-prepared by up to B100 since 2019.”

Scania is the first to make it a standard for all our vehicles to be FAME-prepared up to B100 since 2019. The purpose is to drive the shift towards a sustainable transport system as part of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). With over 25 years of development, Scania offers the broadest range of engines available on the market that are suitable for running on both renewable and fossil fuels to help achieve carbon reduction, as set in SBTi, and Biodiesel100 is one of them.

“On the outset, Malaysia is one of the world’s largest producers of B100, thus, this pilot project demonstrates the high quality of the fuel to reduce global CO2 emissions while maintaining and creating local jobs in Malaysia.” Currently, Scania is also concerned about decarbonisation, as they label it “Driving the Shift”. As Lantz explains, the use of B100 Biodiesel fits this approach very well: It’s the fast option to decarbonize heavy commercial vehicle as it reduces CO2 emissions by up to 70 percent and can be used by vehicles that are already on the road. Thus, it also has the smallest possible technology risk as you can always switch back to regular Diesel.

The launch was held at Stesen Minyak Alisha, Shah Alam, Selangor. The ceremony was officiated by Mr. Shairan Huzani Husain, Managing Director of Shell Malaysia Trading and witnessed by Ms. Heba Eltarifi, Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia, Mr. David Lantz, Driving The Shift Director of Scania Southeast Asia and Mr. Richard Tee Chu Wong, Managing Director of Konsortium Port Dickson Sdn Bhd. Supported by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC), Shell Malaysia is collaborating with Scania and Konsortium Port Dickson Sdn Bhd (KPD) to pilot test the road tankers in an effort to lower carbon emissions.

Those wanting to follow the example of the trial may do so easily as the ability to run Scania trucks on Biodiesel has been a standard offering for all new trucks and buses since 15 December 2019. Since then, all new vehicles sold are FAME (FAME is the abbreviation for Fatty Acid Methyl Esters, which is the technical term for the biodiesel that is produced in Malaysia) prepared, enabling them to run on all blends of diesel and biodiesel ranging from 0 percent Biodiesel to 100 percent Biodiesel including B0, B10, B20, and B100.