RM15 Million Hydrogen Station in Putrajaya: Visionary or Misplaced Bet?

Malaysia has taken a bold step toward a hydrogen-powered future with the launch of its first mobile hydrogen refuelling station (MHRS) in Peninsular Malaysia.

Located in Precinct 2, Putrajaya, the RM15 million pilot project is being positioned as a catalyst for hydrogen mobility and clean energy development. But it also raises pressing questions about priorities in the country’s green transition.

Launched by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister YB Chang Lih Kang, the MHRS can dispense up to 50KG of hydrogen daily. It aims to lay the groundwork for the future adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

To paint a clearer picture, a Toyota Mirai, one of the very few hydrogen vehicles available in the market has a tank capacity of 5KG with a claimed WLTP range of 500KM. So the RM15 million investment would technically only be able to refuel 10 units of Toyota Mirai daily.

“At present, there are no hydrogen vehicles on Malaysian roads, but we already have suppliers for such vehicles,” Chang said during the launch. “We must begin by establishing the basic infrastructure so that FCEV adoption can take place. We hope to see FCEVs on the road by 2030.”

The project is led by NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB) under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), with support from Petronas Technology Ventures Sdn Bhd (PTVSB), Sime UMW, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC).

NMB will operate the station and use it as a testbed for hydrogen-related technologies. PTVSB is responsible for engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning. UMW Toyota has provided three Toyota Mirai vehicles for demonstration, while MGTC is conducting a feasibility study on FCEV use in Malaysia using real-world data.

NMB CEO Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad described the MHRS as more than a technical pilot — calling it a launchpad for long-term innovation and investment aligned with Malaysia’s 2050 net-zero goals.

“Under MOSTI’s leadership, NMB aims to maximise the MHRS’s potential, working with local authorities and industry players to turn Putrajaya into the starting point for a nationwide hydrogen mobility transformation,” he said.

Still, the launch invites debate. Is this the right time — and the right place — for hydrogen mobility?

Spending RM15 million on a single station with no existing hydrogen vehicles may seem premature. Critics argue those funds could have been better used to expand Malaysia’s electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, where consumer demand is already growing.

More public chargers, platform integration, and support for EV startups could have delivered broader, near-term benefits. Strengthening the EV ecosystem would also align more closely with current mobility trends.

Hydrogen’s strengths — fast refuelling and long range — generally suit commercial transport more than passenger cars. Its production and storage remain energy-intensive and costly, especially without scale.

Globally, hydrogen refuelling networks for light-duty vehicles have struggled. Companies like Shell and BP are withdrawing from the segment even in mature European markets, citing low demand and high operational costs.

Malaysia hopes to tap into a small-scale hydrogen refuelling market expected to surpass USD 7.3 billion by 2034. But for now, the infrastructure is arriving ahead of any real user base.

With public resources limited and EV adoption just beginning to accelerate, this raises a larger question: should hydrogen mobility be a national priority now — or should Malaysia first consolidate gains in the EV sector?

Time will tell whether the MHRS is a bold leap or a premature bet. For now, it has reignited debate on how best to power Malaysia’s low-carbon future.

Source: MalaysiaKini