Sarawak's plan for hydrogen-powered buses comes under fire

Free Malaysia Today

6 days ago

Pending assemblyman Violet Yong says the three hydrogen buses in use began to show signs of strain shortly after they started operating in 2020. (Bernama pic)
KUCHING : Sarawak's experiment with hydrogen power has come under scrutiny by the opposition, with the DAP questioning its viability in view of frequent breakdowns of its first three buses powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
Pending assemblyman Violet Yong said the three buses now in service have been breaking down constantly after only five years. The lifespan of a hydrogen-powered vehicle is typically about 20 years — similar to that for its petrol and diesel-driven cousins.
The three buses now in service, each costing RM2.2 million, are part of a trial to test the viability of using vehicles powered by clean energy to serve as feeder buses in the state capital.
Violet Yong.
Yong claimed that the three hydrogen-powered buses were, in fact, already showing signs of strain immediately after they began operating in 2020.
'The three buses keep breaking down. I have the records. Every time there is a fault, the service is suspended. But the breakdowns keep happening,' she told FMT in an interview.
Given that it takes several days, sometimes even more than a week, to repair the buses, it is doubtful that the system is reliable, she added.
In October 2024, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd awarded a contract worth RM122 million for the supply of 55 hydrogen-powered buses to a joint-venture company comprising SKS Coachbuilders Sdn Bhd and Sun Credit Sdn Bhd.
Sarawak Metro is a state-owned company tasked with developing the state's public transport assets.
Costly project
Yong said Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg had cited significant savings when he turned his focus to the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system from an earlier initiative for a RM10.8 billion light rapid transit (LRT) project in response to the DAP's criticisms over its high cost.
She said the ART system is equally costly given that the production of green hydrogen is still not fully developed in Malaysia.
She pointed out that using hydrogen-powered vehicles is still in its infancy in Sarawak as shown by the minimal usage of hydrogen refuelling stations set up by Sarawak Energy Bhd.
Yong said Sarawak could also learn from the experience of other countries. 'Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia have tried hydrogen buses and given up. They're not easy to maintain,' she said.
She said key details about the ART project remained unclear, such as the technology it is using, or how the state government plans to encourage people to make the transition away from using their cars.
She said even basic information such as fares, access to stations, or supporting infrastructure to encourage people to take ART buses, is still not clear.
'In Singapore, you have shaded walkways leading to MRT stations. In Sarawak, we don't even have routes for the ART project yet. Why are you rushing to order 55 hydrogen buses?'
Yong also wondered if Sarawak's population justified such a massive investment. For instance, the biggest urban centre Kuching, together with its satellite town Samarahan, has a combined population of just 1.2 million.
'We in the opposition are not against improving public transport, but we want the government to also be realistic,' she said.
'Electric buses are proven and widely used in Europe, South Korea and Indonesia. Why not start with that? Let's fix the basics first before rushing into costly hydrogen experiments,' she added.