Close Menu
Energy NewsEnergy News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • Hydrogen
    • Energy Storage
    • Grid
    • SMR
    • Projects
    • Production
    • Transport
    • Research
  • SPOTLIGHT
    • Interviews
    • Face 2 Face
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Reviews
    • Events
  • REGIONAL
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Middle east
    • Pacific
  • COMMUNITY
  • ABOUT
    • Advisory Board
    • Contact us
    • Report Your News
    • Advertize
    • Subscribe
LinkedIn X (Twitter) YouTube Facebook
Trending
  • Hydrogen Offtake Contracts Reveal Critical Gaps Despite Record Investment Surge
  • Egypt Solar Manufacturing Hub Faces Scale Limitations Despite $220M Regional Investment
  • Western Australia CIS Tenders Signal Grid Integration Challenges Despite AU$4 Billion Investment
  • French Energy Company Tests Unconventional Gas Strategy Amid Europe’s Supply Crisis
  • Novelis Hydrogen Trial Exposes Infrastructure Dependencies Despite Technical Success
  • TWO DAY MASTERCLASS ON: EXPLOITATION & COMMERCIALIZATION POTENTIAL OF NATURAL HYDROGEN
  • Fossil Fuel Giants Intensify Legal Battles Against Climate Policies Through ISDS System
  • Fortescue Reports Lowest Profit in Six Years, Adjusts Green Hydrogen Timelines Amid Market Pressures
LinkedIn X (Twitter) YouTube Facebook
Energy NewsEnergy News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • Hydrogen
    • Energy Storage
    • Grid
    • SMR
    • Projects
    • Production
    • Transport
    • Research
  • SPOTLIGHT
    • Interviews
    • Face 2 Face
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Analysis
    • Columnists
    • Reviews
    • Events
  • REGIONAL
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Middle east
    • Pacific
  • COMMUNITY
  • ABOUT
    • Advisory Board
    • Contact us
    • Report Your News
    • Advertize
    • Subscribe
Energy NewsEnergy News
Home Home - Hydrogen
Sarawak's Hydrogen Bus Push Faces Reliability and Cost Concerns

Sarawak’s Hydrogen Bus Push Faces Reliability and Cost Concerns

Anela DoksoBy Anela Dokso12/08/20252 Mins Read
Share
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email WhatsApp Telegram

The Sarawak government’s bet on hydrogen-powered public transport is drawing mounting criticism, with opposition lawmakers questioning both its technical reliability and economic justification.

Five years into a pilot programe that introduced three hydrogen fuel cell buses in Kuching, operational records show frequent breakdowns—despite the vehicles being only a quarter into their expected 20-year service life. Each bus, priced at RM2.2 million, was intended to serve as a feeder in the state capital’s clean energy trial, but lengthy repair times—sometimes exceeding a week—have disrupted service and raised doubts about readiness for large-scale deployment.

Despite these issues, Sarawak Metro Sdn Bhd, the state-owned transit developer, has moved ahead with a RM122 million contract for 55 additional hydrogen buses. The expansion is tied to the upcoming Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system, a project positioned as a cost-saving alternative to a shelved RM10.8 billion light rapid transit plan. However, critics argue that the cost-effectiveness of ART remains questionable, particularly as Malaysia’s hydrogen production infrastructure is still nascent. Utilization rates at Sarawak Energy Bhd’s hydrogen refueling stations remain minimal, underscoring concerns that the supporting ecosystem is not yet ready for mass adoption.

Global precedent adds weight to these doubts. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia have scaled back or abandoned hydrogen bus programes, citing high maintenance demands and limited economic viability. Meanwhile, electric buses—already deployed at scale in Europe and Asia—offer a proven, lower-risk pathway. With Kuching and neighboring Samarahan housing a combined population of just 1.2 million, some question whether the scale of Sarawak’s hydrogen investment aligns with actual demand.


Stay updated on the latest in energy! Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X for real-time news and insights. Don’t miss out on exclusive interviews and webinars—subscribe to our YouTube channel today! Join our community and be part of the conversation shaping the future of energy.

hydrogen
Share. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

Related Posts

green hydrogen

Hydrogen Offtake Contracts Reveal Critical Gaps Despite Record Investment Surge

29/08/2025
Solar

Egypt Solar Manufacturing Hub Faces Scale Limitations Despite $220M Regional Investment

29/08/2025
Batteries Grid

Western Australia CIS Tenders Signal Grid Integration Challenges Despite AU$4 Billion Investment

29/08/2025
Hydrogen Gas

French Energy Company Tests Unconventional Gas Strategy Amid Europe’s Supply Crisis

29/08/2025
Hydrogen

Novelis Hydrogen Trial Exposes Infrastructure Dependencies Despite Technical Success

29/08/2025
NATURAL HYDROGEN

TWO DAY MASTERCLASS ON: EXPLOITATION & COMMERCIALIZATION POTENTIAL OF NATURAL HYDROGEN

28/08/2025
green hydrogen

Hydrogen Offtake Contracts Reveal Critical Gaps Despite Record Investment Surge

29/08/2025
Solar

Egypt Solar Manufacturing Hub Faces Scale Limitations Despite $220M Regional Investment

29/08/2025
Batteries Grid

Western Australia CIS Tenders Signal Grid Integration Challenges Despite AU$4 Billion Investment

29/08/2025
Hydrogen Gas

French Energy Company Tests Unconventional Gas Strategy Amid Europe’s Supply Crisis

29/08/2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news from the hydrogen market subscribe to our newsletter.

LinkedIn X (Twitter) Facebook YouTube

News

  • Inteviews
  • Webinars
  • Hydrogen
  • Spotlight
  • Regional

Company

  • Advertising
  • Media Kits
  • Contact Info
  • GDPR Policy

Subscriptions

  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Sponsored News

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news from EnergyNewsBiz about hydrogen.

© 2025 EnergyNews.biz
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Accessibility

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.