Using the litter box method, you may easily remove red dye from your fuel diesel. This procedure can eliminate the dye and return you to regular diesel in as little as a few minutes.
Is it possible to change red diesel into white diesel?
Red diesel has a dye applied to it to distinguish it from the other two fuels. This permits Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the United Kingdom to determine if the fuel is being used illegally in vehicles on the road. With such a large savings to be had by using red diesel, the chance of getting discovered hasn’t deterred many users from breaching the law. The UK government estimates that the cost to the taxpayer is over 80 million pounds per year in lost tax payments.
With such a lucrative profession, many alternative ways for avoiding discovery have been developed. The removal of the red colour from the diesel is one of the most popular. In the United Kingdom, the diesel is colored with a diazo dye called Solvent Red 19, 24, or 26. Fraudsters can remove the color by using an acid or alkali to render the dye colorless, or by employing activated charcoal to extract the dye from the fuel.
What’s the best way to get the red out of my diesel fuel tank?
No, your truck will be alright on this diesel. The main variation is in color, not in the components. It’s strictly for off-road use, as indicated by the red colour. It’s coloured red to make it visible to government officers if you’re using it illegally. Be advised that if you’re discovered driving on US highways, you could face a ticket and a hefty fine.
Off-road diesel will run your automobile if it runs on diesel. However, as previously said, if you use it illegally and are detected, you will be penalized by both the state and federal governments. Because that is sometimes the only fuel available in the event of a natural disaster, you are unlikely to be penalized.
Technically, you can, because the color is the only difference. We’ve heard of cases where someone bought a truck that ran on off-road diesel and then switched to regular diesel. In that scenario, the new owner just switched to regular diesel and the vehicle performed admirably.
The distinguishing red dye is the most noticeable variation, and there may also be a difference in sulfur levels. Furthermore, because this farm fuel is designed for heavy machinery, it heats up quickly.
Driving until the tank is completely empty is the simplest way to get rid of the red dye. Then pour in a couple gallons of or normal diesel and let it run for a while. Repeat this process numerous times. If you want to be sure it’s gone, have your mechanic flush the gasoline system.
No, it isn’t possible. Except for the colour, it’s identical as on-road diesel. If you have a diesel engine, you can use farm fuel to power it. Just make sure you’re not breaking any laws when you use it.
Some people believe it is “tax-free,” yet depending on the state, it may still be subject to taxation. Here’s a list of states with information on gasoline tax exemptions. When you’re permitted to use this type of fuel off-road, you’ll either pay less at the pump or get a refund on your fuel tax.
You could be charged with “Motor Fuel Tax Evasion” if you’re caught and convicted. Is it really worth it to save money on gas? Here’s what the IRS has to say about it:
“What are the Consequences?” In general, no coloured fuel should be used in highway vehicles. The Internal Revenue Code stipulates a penalty of $1,000 or $10 per gallon, whichever is larger, with payment of the tax for each violation. Additional fines may be imposed by states.
Mixing the two types of diesel fuels is not a problem, however red diesel has a higher sulfur level than green. It’s also known as green fuel because it’s environmentally beneficial. It’s either light green or transparent in appearance.
This is subject to change. If you’re unsure, you can dip a tube in your tank and pull out a sample to see what color it is; there are also manual dipstick kits and black lights available. However, the gas does not remain in your tank; it passes through your fuel system. If you’re worried, take it to your mechanic to have the system flushed.
Is there a difference between white and red diesel?
Before April 1, 2022, red diesel, often known as gas oil or cherry red, was predominantly utilized in off-road machinery and engines, primarily by the agricultural, marine, and construction industries.
The color of red diesel differs from white or “road diesel” in two ways: the color and the tax rate. Chemically, the two fuels are equivalent, and when burned, they emit the same amount of greenhouse gases.
Its color is altered by the addition of a red dye that distinguishes it from unrebated fuel.
The dye does not alter the qualities of the gasoline in any way, but rather coats the inner workings of machines, allowing law enforcement agents to monitor the fuel’s illegal use.
The biggest and most significant difference between the two is their tax rates. Red diesel users paid 11.14 pence per litre (ppl) in fuel duty in January 2022, which was significantly lower than the 57.95ppl paid by white diesel users. This reduced tax rate essentially delivered an 81 percent reduction.
From an environmental sense, this raises a number of difficulties, not least the fact that red diesel drivers pay less for the dangerous pollutants they emit than single car owners. After all, whether 1 litre of diesel is consumed on or off the road, it emits the same amount of emissions.
The government ended a 10-year hold on red diesel fuel charge to encourage customers to switch away from this carbon-intensive fuel.
What happens if you’re caught having red diesel in your possession?
If you’re detected using red fuel illegally, the authorities may take your vehicle, and you’ll have to pay a charge to have it released, as well as the amount owed in duty. Serious offenses could result in an infinite fine and a two-year prison sentence for the operator.
Is it possible to drive a car that runs on red diesel?
Because red diesel is the same as normal diesel, it can be used in any vehicle, equipment, or machinery that can run on DERV, as long as it’s legal.
Generators, machinery, commercial boats, off-road vehicles, and commercial heating applications are all frequent usage. Red diesel is purchased by a diverse range of consumers across the UK, including milk bottling plants, dairy farms, schools, hospitals, and rail services, to name a few.
Is it still possible for farmers to use red diesel?
It is critical to confirm that the vehicle you wish to utilize is permitted to use red once a legitimate use has been confirmed.
Agricultural, special, and unlicensed vehicles, as well as some devices and appliances, will be allowed to use red.
It’s worth emphasizing that, beginning of April 1, they must only be carrying out a sanctioned operation, rather than just operating off-road, as is the case now.
The HMRC’s Excise Notice 75, Memorandum of Agreement, is a useful reference point for determining whether something has an agricultural purpose (MoA).
This will be revised before April 1st, but the definitions are unlikely to change. The definition of an approved vehicle or machine will also be modified in Notice 75.
HMRC has recently provided interim guidance on these changes in the meantime, until Notice 75 is updated: From April 1, 2022, there will be changes to the rebated fuels entitlement.
What defines “agricultural use?
Agricultural use is just doing work for the benefit of agriculture.
HMRC accepts the following activities as part of the concept of agriculture:
- Breeding or rearing any creature kept for the purpose of producing food, wool, skin, or fur, or for use in land farming
- Growing or harvesting crops, including cereals, combinable crops, roots, tubers, vegetables, pulses, fruit, nuts, grasses, oilseeds and fungi for food, beverages, fodder, fuel or industrial purposes or the upkeep of agricultural land such as set-aside under environmental management schemes.
The following activities are not considered to be part of agriculture:
- Breeding, rearing, or keeping any creature for the sake of sport or amusement is prohibited.
- Agricultural products trading
- Extraction of peat or loam
- Taking use of wild animal or fish stocks
- Construction of buildings or other structures utilized for agricultural purposes
- Transportation of agricultural produce, livestock, implements, inputs, or waste, unless it is incidental to an agricultural operation on the ground.
Can an agricultural contractor use rebated fuel?
Contractors can continue to use red diesel for driving to and from the farm, carrying materials or equipment needed for the project, and eliminating waste resulting from the contracted work as long as they are using an approved vehicle or machine for an allowed purpose.
Can a self-employed contractor with a tractor and trailer use red diesel if employed by another contractor as part of the harvesting team?
Yes, because the contractor would be a member of the harvest team, collecting the produce from the field. This is an off-road job that could not be done by an HGV as part of the agricultural operation.
Can I use dual tanks if I do some agricultural and non-agricultural work?
No, because utilizing duplicate tanks inhibits HMRC from conducting effective compliance inspections, this is now unlawful and will remain so from April 1.
I have heard that I can use red all the time, then if I do any non-agricultural work I can just pay back the tax. Is this true?
No. HMRC has made it plain that using rebated fuel for a non-allowed purpose is illegal, and if you are caught doing so, you may face prosecution and your car or machine may be seized.
When engaging in non-allowed activities, you must use completely duty-paid fuel, such as white diesel.
The only exemption is in the case of national security, law enforcement, or human or animal welfare, where HMRC may provide a license to use rebated gasoline if it is required to sustain a vital or critical function.
I have a digger that switches between agricultural and non-agricultural jobs regularlywhat should I do?
The most practical alternatives, according to HMRC, are to either run all cars on white diesel all of the time or to have designated vehicles for authorized and non-allowed purposes.
However, many contractors and farmers recognize that this is just not feasible, especially given the rising cost of machinery.
When transitioning between approved and prohibited usage, it is critical to drain the tank completely and clean it with white diesel to remove any traces of red.
When doing so, save all paperwork to demonstrate:
- When red diesel was used to fill a vehicle or machine.
- It was flushed out after that.
- When it was replenished with duty-free gasoline,
- That the vehicle or machine has been utilized for legal reasons in the past (such as invoices from jobs).
However, none of the aforementioned documentation guarantees that the vehicle will not be seized if investigators detect traces of red in a tank of white diesel being used for an unapproved purpose.
We anticipate HMRC focusing on criminal evasion and looking for red diesel use in non-allowed businesses.
I am currently using my agricultural tractor for construction work. In the future, will I have to switch my vehicles used on construction sites to white diesel?
Yes, and it will be critical to make sure that customers who have access to red for off-road use are informed of the changes.
When pricing for new works, include the cost of using white fuel and make sure consumers understand that using red diesel on construction sites, especially when off-road, is banned.
Golf courses and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) can use red in their own vehicles after 1 April 2022. Can a contractor use red diesel when carrying out work on a golf course/CASC?
On golf courses and by CASCs in tractors that are only utilized on-site, red diesel can be used. Red diesel may be used in such circumstances by special vehicles such as mowers and diggers, both when they are kept on site and when they travel to and from site.
On playing fields and sports facilities that are not managed by a club that is registered with HMRC as a CASC, red diesel cannot be used.
Can I use red diesel if providing services to a domestic/private garden?
It depends on the service provided and whether it is classified as horticultural use under HMRC’s MoA.
This includes “gardening cultivation and management” (including vegetable plots, allotments and market gardens, but also flowerbeds, trees, shrubberies and ornamental lawns in public parks).
Landscaping and tree surgery do not match the definition, hence white diesel is required.
However, in order to be eligible for rebated fuel, you must be working with an approved vehicle or machine.
Will I be able to use red diesel in my unlicensed equipment (such as a drainage trencher/digger) when engaged in agricultural land drainage contracting?
All of these vehicles are permitted to operate as special vehicles, and they are permitted to use red when carrying out agricultural drainage.
To be recognised as an agricultural activity, the job must be for the benefit of the agricultural land.
Work involved in placing drainage or utilities such as telephone or electricity cables across agricultural land (including repairing the land afterwards) or maintaining them is not considered agricultural.
Can red diesel be used to harvest crops being delivered to an anaerobic digestion plant?
You can utilize red diesel if you’re involved in the major agricultural operation of harvesting crops. It must be fully duty-paid white diesel if you are solely engaged in transport.
What are the rules of hedge and verge cutting, gritting and snow clearance?
Agricultural vehicles, as described in HMRC’s Excise Notice 75, can use rebated fuel to cut verges and hedges on roadsides, clear snow, grit, and clean up after flooding after 1 April.
Can I grit on public car parks and private land?
For removing or otherwise dealing with frost, ice, snow, or flooding, an agricultural vehicle will be authorized to utilize rebated fuel.
Highways, agricultural land, and private property are all included (such as car parks). The tractor can also use red diesel to get to and from the gritting task on the road.
I make straw bales and then move them to a store. After that I need to move them to a customer. Is this OK?
You can use red diesel if you’re directly involved in an agricultural operation (such as baling). If you’re merely moving hay or straw, though, you’ll need to use fully duty-paid white diesel.
Unless you were involved in the baling, the second haulage travel from the shop to a client must be done on white diesel.
Can I transport and spread compost to agricultural land?
Composting for soil enrichment is an agricultural benefit. So, if you’re hired to provide the necessary machinery and distribute the compost, you can transport the agricultural input on red because it’s a byproduct of the agricultural process.
How will it work if I hire out machinery for agricultural and non-agricultural use?
The same rules apply when renting out vehicles, machinery, or appliances that are utilized for both permitted and prohibited uses. The rental firm will have to do one of two things:
- For all purposes, use white diesel in all cars and devices.
- Have specific red diesel-powered cars and machines that are exclusively utilized for permitted reasons.
- When switching between usage, flush the fuel tank with white diesel to remove all remnants of rebated fuel.
It will be up to the business to govern how it regulates the type of gasoline that its consumers use.
If they allow customers to use rebated gasoline in their vehicles, equipment, or appliances for qualifying reasons, they must ensure that the machinery is not using rebated fuel when it is utilized for a non-entitled use to prevent seizure.
Can a contractor drill game cover on red diesel?
Drilling and maintaining environmental strips would be classified as agricultural since they promote biodiversity on fields by increasing natural predators, which reduces the need for pesticides.
This is in line with the organization’s stated mission “Agricultural land maintenance, such as set-asides under environmental management plans.
However, if a game cover is used for a commercial shoot, it is classified as “breeding, rearing, or keeping any species purely for the purpose of sport or amusement, which necessitates the use of white diesel.
Also, if the environmental strip was entirely or mostly used to protect against flooding, this would be a prohibited use, and you would have to drill and maintain it with white diesel.
Can I make hay on a horse paddock on red diesel?
Yes, because this is an agricultural business and the contractor has no influence over the end usage.
In terms of fuel use, however, equestrian and horse yards are classified as recreation, not agriculture, and all work done in and around the stables and yard must be done with completely duty-paid white diesel.
Excepted machines
When utilized for a specific purpose, certain types of vehicles and machinery may be able to run on rebated (red) diesel. ‘Excepted machines’ are what they’re called.
Any vehicle or machine that is not an excluded machine must utilize fuel that has been subjected to the entire amount of duty, regardless of its intended purpose.
Vehicles
The following are examples of special cars that may be eligible for rebated diesel:
- Rail vehicles are vehicles that are built to operate on a railway.
- vehicles used in agriculture
- cars that are not licensed, such as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) vehicles
However, only when they’re employed for qualified purposes, such as:
- Agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, and forestry are all possible options.
- on property cared for by a local amateur sports club (CASC)
- on a driving range or a golf course
- on land where a traveling fair or circus is located
You should double-check that your car qualifies for rebated diesel when utilized for a certain purpose.
Section 3 contains specific information on the permissible uses of each type of vehicle.
Vessels
Except for individual pleasure craft in Northern Ireland, all types of boats and marine transport can utilize rebated fuel.
In the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, and Wales), private pleasure craft can use rebated (red) diesel, but the user must declare the quantity used for propulsion and pay full excise duty on that proportion.
For more information, see Fuel for Private Pleasure Craft and Private Pleasure Flying (Excise Notice 554).
Other machinery
When utilized in other machinery, engines, or appliances, rebated (red) diesel may be used:
- for agricultural, horticultural, aquatic farming, or forestry uses
- on a golf course (with a driving range) or on grounds managed by a local amateur sports club
- in a traveling fair or circus, to operate or maintain equipment
Is diesel for off-road use the same as diesel for on-road use?
On-road and off-road diesel fuels have the same chemical composition. On-road diesel, commonly known as clear diesel, is available at your neighborhood gas station. Off-road fuel is dyed red and supplied in quantity through wholesalers. Color, price, and intended usage are the only differences.
Why is it unlawful to use red diesel?
Why is it unlawful to use red diesel? Because it is not taxed, red diesel is prohibited to use in on-road cars. The use of it in on-road engines is regulated by the federal and state governments. On-road vehicles cannot be supplied with this sort of fuel by distributors or merchants.