Having previously stated that the introduction of B10 biodiesel requires further consideration, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has now announced that its diesel-powered vehicles will be fully compatible with the new blend (10% palm-based biodiesel and 90% petroleum diesel).
No risks with the use of B10 are expected for its fleet of diesel cars (currently just the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid) claims MBM, based on experiences of Daimler AG's research and development division.
"We have evaluated carefully the influence of B10 Biodiesel blends on our current diesel vehicles for the Malaysian market and we are now able to confirm its compatibility. Our diesel-powered vehicles currently sold in Malaysia were seen to have run both smoothly and safely with the use of the B10 biodiesel blend," explained Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Roland Folger.
It was reported last month that B10 biodiesel is expected to be fully implemented in Malaysia by October this year, with plantation industries and commodities (MPIC) minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas saying the arrival of B10 will lift domestic consumption of crude palm oil by one million tonnes per year.
Following that, BMW Group Malaysia issued a stern response, saying that its tests worldwide have found "technical challenges" running the B10 biodiesel blend in engines. Since then, Toyota, Isuzu and Volkswagen have followed suit, echoing the same sentiments. Volkswagen Group Malaysia even claims that running B10 on its diesel engines will produce adverse effects as well as void the warranty.
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