HOW SAFE IS AUTOGAS?
While there is considerable awareness of the environmental and economic benefits of LP Gas, it's also important to note that in the form of autogas it is an especially safe fuel for vehicle applications. Experience over the last 40 years has demonstrated that Autogas is a safer fuel than petrol.
Extensive safety tests have been undertaken with respect to its use and the conclusions reached are that it is substantially safer than petrol due to its more robust fuel tank being more resistant to impact damage.
- Autogas vehicle tanks are constructed from carbon steel and are 20 times more puncture resistant than a typical petrol or diesel tank.
- Autogas tanks are manufactured with a device that shuts off the filling process when the tank reaches 80 percent of its liquid capacity, allowing for temperature related changes in fuel volume without any release of gas from the tank.
- Autogas engine fuel systems are fitted with safety devices and shut-off valves that function automatically if the fuel line ruptures.
- Autogas has the lowest flammability range of any alternative fuel.
- Autogas leaks are easily detected because an odorant is added as a safety measure.
- Autogas is a non-toxic, non-poisonous fuel that doesn't contaminate waterways or soil.
- Autogas with air won't ignite unless the source of ignition reaches at least 500°C. In contrast, petrol's' source of ignition must reach only 230°C before igniting.
- Theft of gas from your vehicle is virtually impossible.
- If Autogas leaks, it doesn't puddle; it readily dissipates into the air.
- In Vienna , they have been using LPG buses for over 30 years. With 400 buses on the road, there has never been a single accident caused by the use of LPG. What more do we need to say?
What if a vehicle was rammed in the rear?
The petrol tank would suffer more damage than the Autogas tank. All the various types of Autogas tanks are tested for such an occurrence and are proven to be more durable than conventional fuel tanks.
What if a vehicle caught fire?
Unless the fire was extinguished the petrol tank would explode. However, with the Autogas tank having a pressure release valve, the pressure is released in a controlled manner and the tank does not explode.