With Malaysia rolling out the BUDI Madani RON95 subsidy programme (BUDI95), many motorists are gearing up for the new RM1.99 per litre subsidised fuel price starting 30th September 2025. The initiative allows all Malaysians with a valid driving licence to enjoy cheaper fuel under a targeted subsidy scheme — but one question keeps popping up: Can you safely use your smartphone or eWallet app at petrol stations?

Apps like TNG eWallet, Setel, and CaltexGo are already BUDI95-ready, offering verified users the convenience of paying digitally without taking out their MyKad. But despite years of using these apps, some Malaysians still believe that using a smartphone at a petrol station can cause an explosion.

Let's unpack the facts — and separate myth from reality.

Are Smartphones Actually Banned at Petrol Stations?

The short answer: No, smartphones are not banned at petrol stations in Malaysia.

However, there are strict safety guidelines in place to ensure that you use them responsibly. Oil and gas companies like Petronas, Shell, and Caltex operate under rigorous safety and regulatory standards. They wouldn't roll out digital fuelling apps if these posed any real danger at the pump.

What these companies do require, however, is safe usage practice — meaning when, where, and how you use your phone matters.

What Each Petrol Brand Says About Using Phones 

Petronas & Setel

Petronas allows you to use your smartphone inside your vehicle to activate the pump using the Setel app — before refuelling begins.
Once the pump is ready, put your phone away, exit the vehicle, and fuel up as usual.
The same rule applies to motorcycle users:

Petronas emphasizes not to use your phone during refuelling, as that's when safety risks are highest.

Shell

Shell's policy is similar. Car users can safely use the Shell App while seated inside their vehicle to make payment. Once done, the phone should be kept away before you begin fuelling. Motorcycle riders must turn off their engines and stand beside their bikes while using the app. Once payment is completed, the phone should be tucked away until refuelling is finished.

Shell also cautions against using the app while walking or driving within the station area.

Caltex

Caltex takes a slightly more conservative approach. You can use your mobile phone inside your stationary car or inside the convenience store — but not outside the vehicle at the pump. Caltex reminds customers that mobile phones, while generally safe, can still be a source of distraction. The focus should always be on the fuelling process to avoid spills or accidents.

The Real Science Behind Mobile Phones and Fire Hazards

The fear that smartphones can ignite petrol fumes dates back to the late 1990s, when an email hoax claimed that "mobile phone microwaves" caused explosions at petrol stations. The claim quickly spread worldwide — but scientific evidence has never backed it up.

Experts Weigh In

In an interview with The Straits Times, UPM electrical engineering professor Dr. Chandima Gomes explained that mobile phones emit microwaves at extremely low intensity. To ignite petrol fumes, you'd need a high-powered energy source — something far beyond what a smartphone can produce. The Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI) in the U.S. also found that static electricity, not mobile phones, is the real culprit behind most reported petrol station fires.

Static Electricity: The Real Danger at the Pump

Here's what actually happens:
When you re-enter your car during refuelling, friction between your clothes and the car seat can create a static charge.
When you step out again and touch the metal pump nozzle, that tiny spark can ignite fuel vapours — leading to a fire.

This is why experts recommend:

What Global Research Says

Between 1993 and 2004, the GSM Association (GSMA) recorded 243 fire incidents at petrol stations worldwide. None of these cases were caused by mobile phones — all were linked to static electricity or human error.

Similarly, in 2003, the UK Institute of Petroleum held a seminar titled "Can mobile phone communications ignite petroleum vapour?" Their conclusion was clear:

"The risk mobile phones present as a source of ignition is negligible. No verified fire incident has ever been proven to be caused by a mobile phone."

by Author

Even Mythbusters famously tested this myth on television — and completely debunked it.

BUDI95, eWallets, and the Future of Digital Fuel Payments

With BUDI95, Malaysia is embracing a new era of digital fuel payments. Apps like Setel, Shell, and CaltexGo are integrating subsidy eligibility directly into their payment systems, making refuelling more seamless than ever.

So yes — using eWallets or apps at petrol stations is perfectly fine when used responsibly. Follow safety guidelines, keep your phone away during refuelling, and focus on the task at hand.

The bottom line: your smartphone won't blow up a petrol station.
But your carelessness might — so always refuel mindfully.