Is natural gas a safe fuel?

Natural gas has proven itself over the years as a safe, economical and reliable source of energy. In fact, it's the same fuel that heats our homes and cooks our food. Although not widely known, natural gas has been used as an automotive fuel for many years, so the technology for natural gas is well developed.

Is natural gas, stored at high pressure in vehicles, dangerous?

In automotive applications, natural gas is stored in specially designed and engineered cylinders at either 3,000 or 3,600 pounds per square inch. Natural gas cylinders must pass rigid federal safety standards and they have been thoroughly impact-tested. One auto manufacturer, for example, uses natural gas cylinders constructed of an aluminum liner covered with a special high-strength fiberglass wrap for maximum safety and durability. An epoxy-based coating is then applied to protect the cylinder from environmental damage. Natural gas cylinders are safe!

What if there is a collision so serious the natural gas cylinders are punctured?

Due to the integrity of the natural gas fuel system, a failure of this kind is highly unlikely. In fact, there are reported cases where natural gas-powdered police cruisers have been involved in horrendous accidents following a high-speed chase, yet the natural gas fuel system remained intact. But if a puncture or leak were to occur, it's important to know that, unlike gasoline, natural gas is lighter that air and would dissipate quickly from the area.

Are there any special safety precautions that need to be used when refueling a natural gas vehicle?

None, other than the same common sense precautions drivers have used for years refueling gasoline-powdered vehicles, namely extinguishing smoking materials and shutting the engine off.

Is it possible to overfill a natural gas cylinder and cause an explosion?

No the fill pressure is pre-set on the station compressor. Also, there are different fill connectors for different natural gas systems; in addition, interlocks prevent overfilling a 3,000 pound per square inch system with 3,600 pounds per square inch of natural gas.

Is natural gas more volatile and flammable than gasoline?

In fact, natural gas has a higher ignition point that gasoline which means it takes a higher temperature - approximately 1,200 degrees - to ignite natural gas whereas gasoline can ignite at approximately 600 degrees.

If natural gas is so safe, why has it taken so long for it to become an automotive fuel?

Humans, by nature, are resistant to change. Although gasoline has a lower ignition point, pools on the ground and is held in thinner tanks than natural gas, it is a known fuel to all of us; it has been the primary automotive fuel since the internal engine was invented, so we perceive it to be safe. In the same vein, natural gas is a known fuel for heating our homes. Can you imagine if someone suggested pumping gasoline through our homes to fuel our furnaces, clothes dryers and kitchen stoves!