Rajan Wilcox
White diesel, also known as DERV (Diesel Engine Road Vehicle), is a type of diesel fuel used primarily in on-road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses. It is also used to power motorbikes, vans, trains, and HGVs. White diesel is a distillate of crude oil and is one of the most prevalent fuels used worldwide. In the UK, it is the most sought-after fuel and is widely available at petrol stations and forecourts. It is subject to the full rate of fuel duty, currently set at 57.95p per litre. Red diesel, on the other hand, is reserved for off-road use and is taxed at a lower rate. While chemically identical, the two types of diesel differ in their permitted uses and are distinguished by colour—red diesel contains a marker dye, while white diesel is clear or amber/green in colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Diesel Engine Road Vehicle (DERV), road diesel, normal diesel, diesel, forecourt diesel, ultra-low sulphur diesel (USLD), taxed diesel |
| Colour | Clear, amber/green |
| Composition | Hydrocarbon molecules and chains |
| Formation | Distillation and refinement of crude oil/petroleum |
| Use Cases | Cars, vans, trucks, trains, HGVs, commercial power generators, engines, domestic central heating systems |
| Storage | Up to 12 months; 30 litres without informing anyone |
| Taxation | 57.95p per litre |
| Environmental Impact | Releases greenhouse gases |
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What You'll Learn
White diesel is a distillate of crude oil
White diesel, also known as Diesel Engine Road Vehicle (DERV) fuel, is a distillate of crude oil. It is a clear, amber or green-coloured fuel used to power thousands of on-road vehicles around the world, including cars, vans, trucks, buses, trains and motorbikes. It is the most widely used fuel across the world and has been the UK's most in-demand fuel since 2005.
White diesel is formed from different-sized hydrocarbon molecules and is created from petroleum. It is one of more than 60 types of oil that can be manufactured by refining crude oil. It is subject to the full rate of fuel duty, currently 57.95p per litre, and must be stored in line with relevant diesel storage regulations. It can be stored for up to 12 months before it starts to degrade and become 'gummy'.
White diesel differs from red diesel, which is reserved for off-road use in a limited number of industries. Red diesel is marked with a red dye to indicate that it has been purchased at a lower duty rate. It is chemically identical to white diesel but is restricted for use in off-road vehicles and equipment, such as bulldozers and cranes, and in domestic heating appliances.
White diesel is also different from green diesel, which is a greener, more environmentally friendly alternative. Green diesel is a second-generation biofuel that reduces hydrocarbon emissions and lowers particulate matter. It is manufactured using renewable materials.
White diesel is widely available at fuel stations and is formulated to meet strict quality and environmental standards. It provides high energy efficiency and is essential for powering modern diesel engines.
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It is used to power on-road vehicles
White diesel, also known as DERV (Diesel Engine Road Vehicle fuel), is a type of diesel fuel used primarily in on-road vehicles. It is the most commonly used diesel in the UK and is used to fuel thousands of vehicles across the country, including cars, trucks, buses, vans, trains, and HGVs. White diesel is a distillate of crude oil and is one of the most widely used types of diesel across the world. It is clear in colour and is taxed at a standard rate due to its use in vehicles that operate on public roads.
White diesel is available at fuel stations and is formulated to meet strict quality and environmental standards, such as those set by EN590 in the UK and Europe. It is essential for powering modern diesel engines and provides high energy efficiency. However, not all car engines are able to combust diesel fuel, and alternative fuel options, such as green diesel, are available. Green diesel is a second-generation biofuel that is more environmentally friendly than white diesel, reducing hydrocarbon emissions and lowering particulate matter.
The price of white diesel changes regularly based on global factors such as the price of crude oil and individual circumstances, including the amount purchased and delivery location. It is typically more expensive than red diesel due to the reduced fuel duty rate applied to red diesel. White diesel is also subject to government tax, which further increases its cost. As of 2022, new rules were introduced regarding the use of red diesel due to a change in fuel duty, impacting its usage in various sectors.
The storage of white diesel is an important consideration. It can be stored for up to 12 months before it starts to degrade in quality. Proper steps must be taken to preserve the diesel correctly, as it is susceptible to issues such as moisture retention, diesel bugs, and sludge build-up. When stored for extended periods, the chances of contamination increase, with physical and microbial contamination being the two main types.
Overall, white diesel plays a crucial role in powering on-road vehicles in the UK and beyond. Its widespread availability, high energy efficiency, and compliance with quality and environmental standards make it a popular choice for fuelling various types of vehicles. However, with the sale of new diesel and petrol cars to be banned by 2030, a transition towards future fuels with lower emissions is already underway.
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It is the same product as red diesel but with different uses
White diesel, also known as Diesel Engine Road Vehicle (DERV), is a petroleum fuel created by distilling crude oil. It is used to power road vehicles such as cars, vans, trucks, trains, and motorcycles. It is the most popular fuel for road vehicles and is widely available at forecourts and petrol stations across the UK.
Red diesel, on the other hand, is reserved for off-road use in vehicles such as bulldozers and cranes, as well as in generators and heating applications. It is marked with a red dye to indicate that it has been purchased at a lower duty tax rate. While red diesel and white diesel are chemically the same product, with the same composition and properties, their permitted uses differ due to taxation and regulatory purposes.
The primary distinction between the two types of diesel lies in their taxation and intended use. White diesel is subject to a higher tax rate of 57.95p per litre, which is the full rate of fuel duty. This higher taxation makes it illegal for red diesel to be used in road vehicles on public roads. As a result, red diesel is often the fuel of choice for industries seeking a cost-effective option, such as agriculture, forestry, and construction.
The colour of the diesel is an immediate visual indicator of the type of fuel being used. The red marker dye in red diesel serves as a monitoring mechanism to differentiate between legal and illegal usage, as well as to signify its reduced tax rate. While white diesel is referred to as "white," it is actually clear, amber, or green in colour.
In terms of composition, both white and red diesel are composed of hydrocarbon molecules and chains. They are formed through the same process of distilling and refining crude oil, and they release the same greenhouse gases when burned. White diesel, however, can contain a higher proportion of biofuel, which may be a concern for certain engines, such as marine engines, due to the risk of "diesel bug" if left in the tank for extended periods.
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It is taxed at a higher rate than red diesel
White diesel, also known as Diesel Engine Road Vehicle (DERV), is the most common type of diesel used in the UK and worldwide. It is used to power cars, vans, trucks, trains, and HGVs, among other vehicles. White diesel is subject to the full rate of fuel duty, which, at the time of writing, is 57.95 pence per litre.
Red diesel, on the other hand, is a low-duty diesel that is used in machinery and untaxed off-road vehicles. It is not to be used as fuel for regular automobiles. Red diesel is heavily rebated, meaning it is taxed at a much lower rate than white diesel. Specifically, red diesel is taxed at 11.14 pence per litre. This significant difference in taxation rates makes red diesel a cost-effective solution for machinery that requires large amounts of fuel.
The reason for the difference in taxation is that historically, fuel duty was intended to be a tax on road vehicles. To prevent the illegal use of red diesel in road vehicles and to ensure compliance with Customs and Excise regulations, a red dye is added to the fuel. This dye makes it easy for authorities to identify illegal fuel usage and prosecute fuel fraud.
In April 2022, new rules were introduced regarding the use of red diesel, which restricted its use in a wide range of commercial applications. This was done to incentivise users of polluting fuels to improve the energy efficiency of their vehicles and machinery, invest in cleaner alternatives, or simply use less fuel. The change has impacted sectors such as construction, manufacturing, oil and gas extraction, plant hire, and road maintenance. However, some industries, such as agriculture, forestry, and domestic heating, are exempt and can continue to use red diesel.
While red diesel is cheaper than white diesel due to its reduced fuel duty rate, it is important to note that using red diesel in a road vehicle on a public road is illegal and constitutes tax evasion.
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It is the most widely used fuel in the world
White diesel, also known as Diesel Engine Road Vehicle (DERV) fuel, is the most widely used fuel in the world. It is a distillate of crude oil and is used to power a range of vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, vans, trucks, trains, and HGVs. In the UK alone, over 25 billion litres of diesel were sold in 2020, almost doubling the amount of petrol sold that year.
White diesel is a clear, amber, or green-coloured fuel that is subject to the full rate of fuel duty. It is taxed at a higher rate than red diesel, which is reserved for off-road use in industries such as agriculture, forestry, and domestic heating. The differentiation in tax rates is due to the different permitted uses of the two fuels. While white diesel is used for on-road vehicles, red diesel is reserved for off-road vehicles and equipment in a limited number of industries.
White diesel is widely available at fuel stations and is essential for powering modern diesel engines. It is also used in commercial power generators, engines, and domestic central heating systems. White diesel is in high demand due to its high energy efficiency, with worldwide diesel consumption reaching approximately 27,955 thousand barrels per day in 2019.
Despite its popularity, white diesel contributes to environmental concerns as it releases greenhouse gases when burned. As a result, there is a growing trend towards future fuels, such as HVO and GTL, which are greener alternatives that can reduce carbon emissions by up to 90%. These fuels are expected to play a key role in helping countries like the UK achieve their net-zero targets by 2050.
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Frequently asked questions
White diesel, also known as DERV (Diesel Engine Road Vehicle fuel), is a type of diesel fuel used primarily in on-road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and buses.
White diesel is not white in colour. It is actually clear, or amber/green.
White diesel is a distillate of crude oil, formed with different-sized hydrocarbon molecules. It is one of over 60 types of oil that can be manufactured by refining crude oil.
Red diesel is chemically identical to white diesel but is used and taxed differently. Red diesel is marked with a red dye and used for off-road vehicles and equipment. White diesel is taxed at a higher rate and used for on-road vehicles.
White diesel can be stored for up to 12 months before it starts to degrade in quality. After a year, issues such as moisture retention, diesel bugs, and sludge build-up can occur.
