Fuel ships should have massive explosions when destroyed.

It just makes sense that fuel tankers when destroyed would have a huge explosion that deals area-of-effect damage.

It would enhance the game theatrically, add realism, and make the gameplay more dynamic.

When fleeing you'd have to consider not clustering your ships too close in case your tankers explode and damage your whole fleet. In the worst case scenario it could set off a chain reaction if you have multiple tankers.

On the flip-side, you could use fuel tankers as a weapon. Think kamikaze tankers!

Obviously the Luddic Path in particular would be the most likely AI faction to utilize this strategy, and it would be absolutely terrifying. Just imagine how nightmare inducing a hoard of drams equipped with militarized subsystems, safety overrides, and unstable injector hurtling towards you at 195 speed!