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Interestingly, in the 1980s, Ford’s market research revealed a preference for left-side fuel doors among American drivers. However, this convenience led to car doors occasionally colliding with cement pump islands, prompting manufacturers to strengthen door designs rather than change fuel door placement.
Safety Considerations
Some automakers historically believed passenger-side fuel doors were safer. Studies suggested that the driver’s side was more likely to suffer damage during T-bone accidents, potentially rupturing the gas tank and increasing fire hazards. However, later research by Ford found no significant statistical difference between accident rates on the driver’s and passenger’s sides.
In countries like Germany, autobahn design influenced fuel door placement. Many highways lack left shoulders, making right-sided fuel doors safer for refueling away from fast-moving traffic.
Reducing Gas Station Congestion
Economist Robert Frank suggests that varying fuel door placement helps reduce congestion at gas stations. If all cars had fuel doors on the same side, it would lead to long queues on one side of the pump, while the other side remained underutilized. By distributing fuel doors across both sides, drivers can more evenly access available pumps, minimizing wait times during busy periods.
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