Regan Brown
Red diesel is a type of fuel that is used for off-road purposes only. It is untaxed and therefore cheaper than regular diesel fuel. This type of fuel is typically used by industries such as agriculture, construction, and refrigerated trucking. While it can be difficult to find gas stations or truck stops that sell red diesel, some networks like the Commercial Fueling Network (CFN) provide access to truck stops with red diesel at the pump. However, it is important to note that using red diesel in on-road vehicles is illegal and can result in significant fines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is red diesel fuel? | Diesel fuel that has been dyed red, specifically the shade Solvent Red 26. |
| Why is it dyed red? | To indicate that it is untaxed and for off-road use only. |
| What is off-road diesel? | Diesel for off-road use only that doesn't have any road taxes applied to it. |
| Who uses off-road diesel? | Trucking companies with refrigerated trailers, construction companies that operate off-road equipment, and agriculture companies with off-road farm equipment. |
| How to find off-road diesel locations? | Use Google or sign up for a CFN FleetWide card to access 1,900+ fuel stations with off-road diesel. |
| How to purchase off-road diesel? | You need a business fuel card because your fuel card provider will need to verify that you are purchasing red diesel for qualified off-road equipment. |
| What are the benefits of using off-road diesel? | You save roughly 40-48 cents per gallon depending on the state. |
| What are the consequences of using red diesel in on-road vehicles? | Fines of $10 per gallon or $1,000, depending on the greater amount, and payment of the tax that was evaded. |
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What You'll Learn
Red diesel is illegal for on-road vehicles
Red diesel is a type of fuel used in off-road vehicles and machinery. It is functionally the same as white diesel but with a red marker (dye) added to differentiate it from standard diesel and prevent its illegal use in road-going vehicles. Red diesel is subject to a lower level of excise duty than white diesel, which is why it is often called rebated fuel or rebated diesel.
Red diesel is illegal for use in on-road vehicles as it is considered tax evasion. Red diesel is exempt from the state's gas tax, which funds road and bridge projects. Therefore, using red diesel in on-road vehicles means that users are not paying their fair share to maintain the highways. In the US, off-road diesel is dyed red to denote that the fuel is untaxed and is for use in off-road purposes only.
Using red diesel in a vehicle that drives on publicly maintained roads is illegal. In the US, some states, like Oregon, aggressively pursue this type of tax avoidance, with fines as high as $10,000. In Arizona, first-time offenders could face a fine of $1,000 or $10 per gallon of the fuel tank's capacity, along with possible criminal charges and civil penalties.
To identify illegal use, authorities conduct random checks via dip testing, where they dip a test stick into the fuel tank to check for the presence of the red dye. The dye stains the tank, making it difficult to remove all traces. They may also apply a special black light that will glow a specific colour if it comes into contact with the dye.
Red diesel is intended for off-road vehicles such as farming, mining, or construction equipment. Tractors can use red diesel on public roads for specific purposes, such as gritting or travelling short distances between fields. However, it is illegal to use red diesel in any vehicle that will be driven on public roads, and doing so can result in significant fines and legal consequences.
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It's also known as off-road diesel
Red diesel is also known as off-road diesel. It is used in off-road vehicles and equipment used in agriculture, mining, and roadway construction. It is illegal to use red diesel in on-road vehicles as it is not taxed. Red diesel is dyed red to denote that it is untaxed and for off-road use only. The obvious benefit of using off-road diesel is that you save roughly 40 cents per gallon, depending on the state. However, if caught with red diesel in an on-road vehicle, you may be fined $10 per gallon or $1,000, depending on which amount is greater.
Red diesel is typically used by companies that operate off-road equipment, such as trucking companies with refrigerated trailers, construction companies, and agriculture companies with off-road farm equipment. These companies often have a bulk tank at their yard to store the red diesel, but if they need to purchase it on the road, they may have trouble finding gas stations or truck stops that carry it.
To find off-road diesel, you can search for "red-dyed diesel fuel cards" or sign up for a CFN FleetWide card, which provides access to over 1,900 fuel stations with off-road diesel. The Commercial Fueling Network (CFN) is a network of commercial fuel stations that includes cardlocks, retail gas stations, and truck stops that offer off-road diesel at the pump.
It is important to note that the use of red diesel is heavily regulated, and there are strict consequences for misusing it. In Oregon, for example, the fine for using red diesel in an on-road vehicle can be as high as $10,000, and the state aggressively pursues this type of tax avoidance. Similarly, in Arizona, the illegal use of red diesel results in significant losses in revenue, impacting the maintenance and improvement of roadways.
While it may be tempting to use red diesel to save money, it is essential to comply with the law and use it only for its intended purpose in off-road vehicles and equipment.
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It's cheaper than regular diesel
Red diesel is cheaper than regular diesel because it is not subject to fuel taxes. This is because red diesel is intended for off-road use only, and so the vehicles that use it are not putting wear and tear on public roads. The money collected from fuel taxes is used to pay for the design, construction, and maintenance of roads and bridges.
The amount of money saved by using red diesel varies depending on the state. In some states, it is possible to save around 40 to 48 cents per gallon by using red diesel. In one instance, a truck driver saved around $1.50 per gallon by filling up with red diesel, which amounted to $30 per fill-up.
While using red diesel can result in significant savings, it is important to note that it is illegal to use red diesel in on-road vehicles. This is because it is considered tax avoidance, and can result in large fines. For example, in Oregon, the fine for using red diesel in an on-road vehicle can be as high as $10,000. Similarly, in Arizona, if red diesel is found in a gas tank, the driver will be fined either $10 per gallon or $1,000, whichever amount is greater.
To purchase red diesel, a business fuel card is required, as fuel card providers need to verify that the red diesel is being used for qualified off-road equipment. There are also certain fuel cards, such as the CFN FleetWide card, that provide access to fuel stations with off-road diesel.
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It's difficult to find truck stops that sell it
It's difficult to find truck stops that sell red diesel fuel. Red diesel fuel, also known as off-road diesel, is diesel fuel that has been dyed red to indicate that it is meant for off-road use only and is tax-exempt. While using red diesel in on-road vehicles is illegal in many places, some individuals and businesses may still do so to avoid paying motor fuel taxes. This results in significant losses for states, which use fuel taxes to fund road maintenance and improvements.
Because of the illegal use of red diesel in on-road vehicles, regulators actively look for its misuse. They do this by sampling from the tank or spinning the fuel filter to check for obvious signs of dyed fuel. Even if the fuel is clear, they can apply a special black light that will glow a particular colour if it detects dyed fuel. As a result, it is challenging to find truck stops that sell red diesel fuel.
Some companies that use off-road diesel include trucking companies with refrigerated trailers, construction companies with off-road equipment, and agricultural businesses with off-road farm equipment. These companies typically have a bulk tank at their yard to store the off-road diesel. However, if they need to purchase it on the road, they may struggle to find gas stations or truck stops that sell it.
To find truck stops that sell red diesel fuel, you may need to rely on specific fuel cards or networks. For example, the CFN FleetWide card provides access to over 1,900 fuel stations with off-road diesel. Additionally, you can search for "red-dyed diesel fuel cards" to find other options. However, keep in mind that using red diesel in on-road vehicles can result in significant fines, and regulators actively work to prevent its illegal use.
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It's used by industries like agriculture and construction
Red diesel is a type of fuel used for off-road vehicles and machinery in a variety of industries, including agriculture and construction. It is also referred to as off-road diesel, dyed diesel, or gas oil. The use of red diesel is highly regulated, and it is illegal to use in on-road vehicles.
Red diesel gets its name from the red dye that is added to the fuel to differentiate it from standard diesel and prevent its illegal use in road-going vehicles. The dye is either Solvent Red 26 or Solvent Red 164, as allowed by the United States Internal Revenue Service, to indicate that the fuel is tax-exempt. This tax exemption makes red diesel a more cost-effective option for industries that rely on off-road machinery and vehicles.
In the agriculture industry, red diesel is used to power tractors, farm equipment, and generators. It is permitted for use on public roads for specific agricultural purposes, such as travelling between land parcels owned by the same farm, as long as the vehicle remains within a certain distance limit. For example, in the UK, tractors using red diesel for agricultural purposes are allowed to travel up to 1.5 km on public roads.
In the construction industry, red diesel is used to fuel heavy construction equipment, generators, and other off-road vehicles. It is important for construction companies operating this equipment to comply with the regulations surrounding red diesel use to avoid legal consequences.
While red diesel provides cost savings for eligible industries, it is crucial to follow the regulations and ensure that it is only used for approved purposes. The authorities conduct random checks and testing to detect and prosecute fuel fraud and illegal use of red diesel in on-road vehicles.
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Frequently asked questions
Red diesel is diesel fuel that has been dyed red, specifically the shade Solvent Red 26. The dye is added to indicate that the fuel is untaxed and meant for off-road use only.
Yes, some truck stops do sell red diesel fuel. However, it is not commonly available at gas stations and truck stops, and it can be a challenge to find locations that carry it.
Red diesel fuel is intended for off-road use only and is illegal to use in on-road vehicles. Using red diesel in a truck that travels on public streets or highways is against the law and can result in significant fines.
