The Do’s and Don’ts Of Red Diesel

The price of domestic fuel in this country and throughout the western world is continuing to rise at an alarming rate. If you make your living from driving or have a large morning commute we’re sure you’re only too aware of this rapid price rise.

Essentially red diesel is designed to protect our agricultural and commercial sectors from these hideous price peaks as they use fuel throughout their day-to-day operations. In short, commercial buyers of red diesel pay a lower tax rate than standard domestic fuel which means they pay less overall. So, what are the do’s and don’ts of red diesel?

Don’t use red diesel in your car

As we’ve previously mentioned red diesel is designed specifically with agricultural vehicles in mind and there are strict regulations around this. Of course, it wouldn't be exactly fair for an agricultural worker to use this discounted fuel to get to the shops and back. So, you should only use this fuel within your tractors or other farming vehicles. Of course, you can use these vehicles on the regular road but only if you’re gritting or moving to another field which cannot be accessed without using the road.

Store your fuel safely

As you might expect there are also many regulations on the storing of red diesel. It is imperative that you and your co-workers know exactly how to store this fuel on your premises as, just like regular diesel, red diesel is extremely flammable. You should therefore keep the fuel in a long-lasting tank that has been tested structurally. These measures prevent the risk of the tank bursting, which would be terrible for the local environment and your business. What’s more, you should also have your tank regularly serviced.

Don’t forget about your fuel

Using red diesel will usually mean you’re storing the fuel yourself and are therefore responsible for the quality of your fuel and its purity. Aside from drastically reducing the efficiency of your vehicles if your red diesel gets contaminated, it can be extremely dangerous. Your fuel can become contaminated by a whole host of things. However, the main culprits are water, poor tank maintenance, and dirt. It’s not all doom and gloom though. One of the easiest ways to prevent contamination in your fuel tank is to never leave red diesel in for longer than a year.

Use reliable providers

As with many commercial products, it is vital that you buy your red diesel from a reputable provider. Considering the many regulations and risks associated with agricultural fuel using a reliable source means these risks are mitigated. So, you can get down to doing what you love.

If red diesel sounds like something that would benefit your business and you’re within the regulations then here at Northern Oil we can help. Get in touch with our friendly staff today to find out more about our service!