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Dyed Diesel Fuels Guide

Dyed diesel is used across the globe within a number of restricted industries, including off-road vehicles with diesel engines, boats, shipping vessels and machinery. But why is it dyed red? Read on to find out more in our latest guide on rebated fuels.

What is dyed diesel fuel?

Dyed diesel, or red diesel or gas oil as it’s more commonly known, is used in some off-road vehicles and machinery in the UK due to the lower tax rates. Adding dye to clear diesel, also referred to as DERV, allows law enforcement to check the eligibility of your dyed diesel, as it’s illegal to use in a large number of cases. Read our red diesel FAQs law changes to check if it’s allowed for use in your vehicle or machinery.

Clear diesel (DERV) vs dyed diesel

We talk about clear and dyed diesel, but what’s the difference? Well, not an awful lot; they share the same chemical composition but have different applications.

As their names suggest, the biggest difference between the two is the colour of the fuel itself. Clear, or regular diesel, is just that, whereas red diesel is dyed to identify it as a rebated fuel. However, it’s worth noting that dyed diesel can vary in colour depending on the country.

One slight difference between the two fuels is that red diesel has a slightly higher level of sulphur due to the presence of synthetic dyes, but this difference is so negligible that it doesn’t affect its use.

Finally, the biggest difference between the two diesel fuels is the overall cost; clear diesel is heavily taxed making it a more expensive fuel than red diesel. The new laws surrounding red diesel use from April 2022 mean that many businesses, particularly in the construction industry, have to pay much higher prices due to the mandated switch to diesel in a bid to encourage users to move to cleaner burning fuels.

Vehicles and equipment for dyed diesel use

Despite some people hoping to use red diesel in illegal applications, dyed diesel can only be used within certain industries as of April 2022. The rules around red diesel were changed to limit its use in specific sectors. Today, dyed red diesel is only allowed in specific sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, fish farming, rail transport and non-commercial heating applications.

There are plenty of vehicles and equipment within a wide range of industries that can use dyed diesel, including:

• Rail transportation
• Community sports clubs
• Marine transport including sailing and boating
• Travelling fairs or circuses
• Non-commercial properties for generating electricity and heating
• Fish farming, agriculture and forestry

To ensure you don’t use red diesel illegally, we advise you to check with HMRC or you can speak to one of our helpful teams to discuss your fuel usage.

What happens if you use dyed diesel illegally?

There isn’t a maximum fine or a fixed cost that you will receive should you be caught using red diesel illegally; this will depend on the severity of the incident. You may receive a fine from HMRC but you may also be charged with the cost of removing the fuel from your vehicle as well as having to pay for your vehicle’s tank to be cleaned. You may even be charged for the difference in price in the time you’ve used red diesel illegally.

Where can you find diesel fuel?

Beesley Fuels supplies dyed diesel fuel to businesses across the UK, so why not speak directly with one of our dyed fuel experts on 0330 123 1144 who will be more than happy to assist you with your queries and orders.

More sustainable alternatives to dyed diesel

Beesley Fuels is helping red diesel users switch to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) across the country to drastically reduce their net CO₂ emissions by as much as 90% right away.

HVO is a direct replacement for red diesel and requires no infrastructure changes – you can simply drop it in and go.

However, in most cases, we do recommend uplifting your dyed diesel and cleaning your tank so you can start fresh with your new, cleaner burning fuel: HVO. This ensures that none of its characteristics are lost, including its shelf life of up to 10 years, its zero FAME and sulphur content, as well its significantly lower net CO₂ emissions, particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions.

We can assist in your transition to HVO, completing the whole process in-house to save you the hassle of contacting several different companies. To speak to an expert about switching to a cleaner burning fuel, call 0330 123 1144 today.

Ready to learn more or request a quote?

Now you have a better understanding of dyed diesel fuels, you’ll know if you can use them within your business operations. If you still have unanswered questions or you’d like to place a dyed diesel fuel order, call our dyed fuel experts today on 0330 123 1144.