Aren't natural gas vehicles dangerous?

Question

Looking into purchasing a car, but heard stories of hybrid vehicles electrocuting people during car accidents, and now these new natural gas vehicles just don't sound right. Although they may be safe, could someone explain how the NGV may be dangerous? I like the honda NGV as I am an economy buff, but I have not been able to find the potential dangers of owning a car like this.

Thanks!

Answer 1

CNG vehicles are about as safe as any other vehicle that uses a combustible as fuel.  A couple years ago people griped because of the pressure that was needed to make the pumps work right (to fill up your car).  They might have figured that out by now.

There's gas drilling going on under my house as we speak, and around just about ever school and hospital around.  So I'm guessing that the gas itself is safe.

Answer 2

No. Probably safer then gasoline. If the tank ruptures, LNG will disipate into the atmosphere, while gasoline will pour out and stay there as a fire hazard.

Answer 3

If the total risk were calculated, it is about the same as any other vehicle. If you don't crash a car, you are equally safe in all of them. In these vehicles, natural gas is stored under high pressure and may bring in some additional safety issues. Some people see gasoline as safer, but its longer use has made more people aware of the associated gasoline dangers, but the dangers still exist. NGV are definitely safer for the environment.

Answer 4

Hybrids don't electrocute people in car accidents.  That's just an urban myth.

Natural gas isn't dangerous either.  You've got a natural gas line at your house, and the only danger is if it begins to leak and massive amounts of gas are present in your house.  If your car's tank were to leak, the gas wouldn't get into your car.  It would simply leak out into the surrounding air.

These cars wouldn't sell if they were dangerous.

Answer 5

Not particularly, the storaged tanks are quit robust and can take a lot of punishment without leaking, more probably than the gasoline tank in conventional cars.  Natural gas is actually lighter than air, so in the event of a leak, it will not pool in low places (like gasoline vapors or LPG), but will actually escape from any well ventilated area.  Methane is not toxic (though in a closed area it can displace oxygen).  It is stored as a gas so in the event of a fire, the tank will not BLEVE.