Katerina Swanson
Red diesel is a type of diesel fuel that is dyed red to indicate that it is intended for off-road use and has not had fuel taxes paid on it. The red dye is added to make it easily detectable by authorities, as the use of untaxed fuel in on-road vehicles is illegal and can result in hefty fines or even jail time. While red diesel is commonly used in off-road vehicles and equipment such as tractors, bulldozers, and cranes, it is not meant to be used in cars, SUVs, trucks, and other regular road vehicles. Other types of diesel fuel, such as green diesel, are also available and are designed to be more environmentally friendly. The process of dyeing diesel fuel involves adding a chemical additive, and the specific colour of the dye indicates the fuel's intended use and tax status.
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What You'll Learn
Why diesel is dyed
Diesel fuel is dyed to differentiate it from regular diesel and to indicate its intended use. The dye colour is used to specify the type of diesel and its applications, with each colour signifying whether the diesel is for on-road or off-road use. The dyes also help in easy detection and identification of the type of diesel being used.
Red-dyed diesel, also known as red diesel, is the most common type of dyed diesel. It is used for off-road vehicles and equipment, such as tractors, heavy construction machinery, farming equipment, and generators. Red diesel has a higher sulfur content, making it unsuitable for on-road use. It is not taxed, which is why it is strictly regulated for off-road use only. The red dye is highly visible and can be detected even in extremely low concentrations.
Blue-dyed diesel is similar to red-dyed diesel but is exclusively used for government vehicles in the United States. It is not available for public purchase.
Green diesel, despite its name, is not actually dyed green. It is a more ecologically friendly option, using a petroleum refinement process that reduces fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Dyed diesel is often tax-exempt, which is why its use is heavily regulated. Using dyed diesel in on-road vehicles is illegal and can result in hefty fines, penalties, or even jail time. Distributors and retailers are prohibited from knowingly supplying dyed diesel to on-road vehicles, and on-road drivers must not use dyed diesel in their vehicles. Law enforcement officers can take fuel samples from any vehicle suspected of using dyed diesel illegally.
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How to remove dye
There are several methods for removing dye from diesel fuel, although it is a lengthy process and may require multiple attempts. One method is to drain the tank, change the fuel filter, flush the tank, and then drain it again. This process may need to be repeated several times until the dye is no longer visible.
Another suggested method is to use a clay filter to remove the dye, although the effectiveness of this method is uncertain. Additionally, exposing the dyed diesel to sunlight or UV-C light can cause the dye to fade over time. However, this method may alter the chemistry of the fuel in unknown ways, which could potentially be unsafe.
Some individuals have suggested using acids, such as sulfuric acid, to remove the dye from diesel fuel. However, acids are water-based and do not mix with diesel fuel, so it is doubtful that this method would be effective. Furthermore, introducing acid into a fuel system may have undesirable consequences.
Therefore, it is recommended to avoid attempting to remove the dye from diesel fuel using acids or other unverified methods, as it may be unsafe and could potentially damage the fuel system.
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On-road vs off-road diesel
On-road diesel, also known as clear diesel, is available for consumer purchase at most fuel stations. It is fully taxed and can be used in any vehicle with a diesel engine that is licensed for use on roads.
Off-road diesel, on the other hand, is dyed red and is sold in bulk by distributors. It is meant for machines that are not driven on roads, such as tractors, construction equipment, and generators. Off-road diesel is untaxed, which makes it cheaper than on-road diesel. However, it is illegal to use off-road diesel in on-road vehicles and can result in significant fines.
The primary difference between the two types of diesel is their intended use, which is distinguished by the red dye in the off-road diesel. This dye allows authorities to easily identify the type of diesel being used in a vehicle and enforce the proper use of each fuel type. In the past, off-road diesel had a higher sulfur content, but with changes to fuel specifications, both types of diesel now have the same specifications and performance.
The use of off-road diesel is beneficial for industries such as construction and agriculture, as it helps reduce costs for vehicles that are not driven on public roads. However, it is important to follow the regulations regarding the use of off-road diesel to avoid legal consequences.
To summarise, on-road and off-road diesel differ primarily in their intended use, taxation, and colour. Off-road diesel is designed for machines that are not driven on roads and is untaxed, making it a cost-effective option for certain industries. However, using off-road diesel in on-road vehicles is illegal and can result in fines.
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Fuel tax evasion
To combat this, the US and EU have introduced fuel dyes to identify fuels for off-road use. In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency mandates the use of red dye, specifically Solvent Red 26 or Solvent Red 164, to identify off-road fuels. The Internal Revenue Service regulation 26 CFR 48.4082-1 mandates the use of these red dyes in a higher concentration for tax-exempt diesel fuels, such as heating oil, to allow detection even when diluted with regular fuel. In the EU, all member states are required to add Solvent Yellow 124, a dye similar in structure to Solvent Yellow 56, to heating fuel. This dye can be easily detected, even in small amounts, and changes colour to red in acidic pH.
The introduction of these dyes has helped reduce fuel tax evasion by making it easier to identify the illegal use of untaxed fuel. For example, in the UK, "red diesel" is used for agricultural and construction vehicles, and authorities regularly carry out roadside checks to ensure fuel regulations are being followed. However, some individuals have found ways to remove the dye from the fuel, allowing them to evade taxes and sell the fuel illegally at a higher price.
To further prevent fuel tax evasion, the Federal Highway Administration in the US has coordinated efforts with the IRS and states, providing funding to develop new technologies. One such proposal is to use software and sensors to track tanker travel and operations, providing data that can be compared to normal events to identify suspicious activity. These initiatives aim to reduce the financial losses due to fuel tax evasion, which can amount to significant sums given the high volume of motor fuel sales in the US.
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Different colours of diesel dye
The purpose of diesel fuel dye is to differentiate between diesel fuel intended for on-road and off-road use. On-road diesel fuel is subject to federal and state fuel taxes, while off-road diesel fuel is exempt from these taxes. The use of diesel fuel dye helps prevent tax evasion.
Red
Red diesel is the most common type of dyed diesel. It is used for off-road vehicles and machinery, including farm tractors, heavy construction equipment, and generators. Red diesel carries a significantly reduced tax levy compared to un-dyed diesel fuel used in ordinary road vehicles. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency mandates the use of red dye to identify fuels for off-road use. Solvent Red 26 is the standard, although Solvent Red 164, which has longer alkyl chains, is also used.
Blue
Blue diesel is not available for public purchase and is reserved for government vehicles and equipment. It is identical to red diesel, except for its intended use.
Green
Green diesel is not dyed. The green in the name refers to it being a more eco-friendly fuel for on-road use.
Yellow
Outside the USA, yellow diesel is used to differentiate from regular diesel. In Poland, during the time of Communist Party rule, state-owned CPN fuel monopoly dyed leaded gasolines (marketed as "ethilins") yellow.
Purple
Purple diesel dye is also used outside the USA to differentiate from regular diesel.
Brown
In the United States, diesel fuel was historically dyed brown.
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Frequently asked questions
Dyed diesel is fuel that has been coloured with a chemical additive to indicate its intended use and tax status.
Diesel is dyed to differentiate between fuel for on-road and off-road use. On-road diesel is subject to federal and state fuel taxes, while off-road diesel is tax-exempt.
The most common colour for diesel fuel is red, which indicates that it is for off-road use only. Other colours include blue, which is reserved for government vehicles, and green, which indicates a more eco-friendly fuel.
It is illegal to use dyed diesel in on-road vehicles and it is very difficult to remove the dye completely. However, some people suggest leaving the diesel out in the sun to allow the UV rays to bleach the dye, or using a UV-C light in the storage tank.
Dyed diesel is available at many rural petrol stations and from specialist suppliers. In some states, you may need a valid tax certificate to purchase it.
