Safety
The German Technical Inspection Agency "TÜV" has certified that the usage of CNG is as safe as that of petrol. The fire hazard and explosion danger is much lower and in cases of accidents, CNG is contained much safer in cylinders than petrol in ordinary plastic tanks.
Although being under considerable strain (200bars), the CNG cylinder is the most solid component in the vehicle.
Another reason for the high safety rating is the fact that CNG has an ignition temperature of about 600°C (which is approximately three times higher than petrol's ignition temperature). This means that the danger of an explosion, deflagration or a fire is much lower than compared with a petrol or a diesel vehicle.
In addition, CNG is lighter than air. Therefore, if a leak were to occur, the gas would simply rise up and quickly dissipate into the atmosphere.
Lastly, CNG gas cylinders are built with special materials and are designed for the highest safety specifications. Our cylinders are tested and certified by the international research and testing agency Bureau Veritas in Argentina.
Here you see two cars after a crash (left: gasoline vehicle; right: CNG car)
The means of distribution for natural gas ranks it very highly. In most circumstances, natural gas is delivered via underground pipeline networks, the same networks that deliver gas to our homes and businesses. This method not only eliminates the need for road tankers to deliver fuel from the refinery, but also the need for ocean going oil tankers to deliver crude oil to the refinery. The hazards associated with each of these methods therefore do not apply to the transportation of CNG.
