What is Red Diesel?
Red diesel, also known as gas oil, tractor diesel and agricultural diesel, is used for operating machinery and off-road vehicles, and it can also be used to heat homes. It is particularly known for being a low-tax, and therefore, a low-cost fuel.
Legislation changes for Red Diesel
As of the 1st April 2022, the government changed the rules regarding red diesel, whereby tax relief was removed, and users had to adopt an alternative fuel.
The alternative fuel options include white diesel (DERV), a more sustainable fuel, HVO30, or depending on heating equipment, the use of Kerosene is also permitted.
Why did these changes take place?
In order to achieve a more sustainable approach to fuel consumption, and with the UK Government aiming to achieve a net zero emissions target by 2050, discouraging and stopping the use of red diesel has been an important initiative for a greener future.
However, businesses and industries have been affected by the legislation changes for red diesel, including the uncertainty of whether they are exempt, as well as the financial implications.
Who is affected by these changes?
The use of red diesel in machinery, generators, or for commercial heating purposes means a wide range of users have been affected by the legislation changes.
The following sectors have experienced differences:
Construction, mining, and quarrying
Manufacturing
Plant hire, transportation/logistics and waste management
Highway maintenance
Airport activities
Ports and harbour activities
Who we supply Red Diesel to
As fuel providers, we can only supply red diesel to your business if it is for the purpose of the following:
Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and fishing
Flood and snow clearance (including gritters)
Propulsion of passenger, freight, and maintenance vehicles on rails
Propulsion of commercial boats including passenger ferries and water freight
The powering of machinery, including caravans, travelling fairs and circuses
Non-commercial heating in homes, places of worship, NHS hospitals, townhalls, and permanently moored houseboats
Amateur sports clubs and community sports centres, golf courses (including activities such as ground maintenance and the heating and lighting of clubhouses, changing rooms, etc)
How can we help?
Understanding the laws around red diesel is highly important, as failure to comply with these regulations can result in heavy fines.
Prince Energy supplies the fuel products and replacements for switching from red diesel, and our team is on-hand to help with any queries, as well as to ensure your business continues to run smoothly and efficiently.
With a prompt delivery service that offers nationwide deliveries, and quality fuel options at affordable prices, Prince Energy is the obvious, and reliable, fuel provider for you.