Perhaps you’ve heard the term “off–road diesel” and are curious about its meaning. We shall define off-road diesel precisely and discuss how it varies from conventional diesel in this post.
Off-road diesel is essentially the same as conventional diesel; the only distinction is that it hasn’t been “road taxed.” This diesel is used for fuel for heating oil boilers, farm equipment, construction trucks, and pretty much everything that doesn’t need to go on paved public roads.
Which Cars Use Diesel Off-Road?
Off-road diesel is the same fuel as ordinary diesel, as you may already know if you read our earlier piece on the subject. However, it is limited to use in vehicles that are not connected to the major road systems. The cause of this? Since this fuel is only used off-road, it is not subject to the same taxes as ordinary diesel. Standard gas purchased at the pump is subject to a tax that funds the upkeep of roads and bridges.
Off-road diesel vehicles are primarily found in the farming and construction sectors. The following is a list of automobiles that may be seen purchasing and utilizing this specifically designated fuel:
Trucks
Big Trucks
Cranes
Farm Use Only
Heavy Earth Movers
Bobcat
Tractors
Bulldozers
Farm Equipment
Dump Trucks
Off-road diesel is physically colored red to help inspectors identify instances in which an on-road vehicle is attempting to evade regulations and save money on fuel. Diesel on the road has a clear color. When it comes to this subject, the law is severe.
A person will be fined $10 per gallon or $1000 (whichever is higher) if they are found using off-road diesel in an on-road vehicle. If found in possession of up to 20 gallons, the person could face a class one misdemeanor in the criminal justice system. A class six felony applies to anything over 20 gallons. Go here to learn more about that.
Repeat offenders may have to serve jail time. It is preferable to stay out of trouble with the law and use the proper fuel for the right car.
When you buy diesel for a car that is mostly used on public roads or highways, a special charge known as the “road tax” is included in the price. Since there are no federal or state taxes associated with this fuel, it is inherently less expensive.
Red dye is added to the fuel to prevent it from being used improperly to evade taxes. There are harsh sanctions for anyone caught by the police using off-road diesel in their daily transit vehicle. The exact list of fines is as follows:
“The civil penalty for any act mentioned in paragraph A shall be the greater of $1,000 or ten dollars per gallon of fuel, based on the roadway vehicle, watercraft, or aircraft’s maximum storage capacity of the storage tank, container, or storage tank.” Code of Virginia § 58.1-2265
Fuel that isn’t going to be utilized on public roads shouldn’t be subject to a roads tax. On a gallon-by-gallon basis, it might not seem like much, but when thousands of gallons are involved, it can add up to a significant amount.
Here is more information about this kind of tax: Virginia Road Tax Fees
Off road diesel Lynchburg Virginia is classified as a Class II combustible liquid by the National Fire Code. Combustible fuels are any that have a flash point below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Diesel is typically considered to have a flash point of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, or between 126 and 205 degrees Celsius. As a result, it falls within the Class II combustible category.
Typically, off-road diesel—also referred to as ultra-low sulfur diesel or red diesel—is not sold to the general population. Rather, it’s typically acquired via petrol stations with an independent pump or through specialized delivery services. To find out more, it’s essential to get in touch with your state’s controller as certain states could have different laws and regulations. For instance, Alaska has unique red fuel laws that, in some circumstances, can spare individuals from paying fines.
Off-road diesel is mostly utilized for automobiles and industrial equipment on private land or in the course of business. Strict federal and state laws mean that using it on public roadways can result in hefty fines.
Can your engine be harmed by red diesel?
Red diesel won’t harm your car’s engine or any other component. Red diesel is simply ordinary diesel that has been dyed red. The diesel engine in off-road equipment and vehicles is identical to that in on-road vehicles.
For what reason is red diesel prohibited?
Since red diesel is not taxed, it cannot be used in on-road cars. Strict regulations governing its use in on-road engines are in force at the federal and state levels. This kind of fuel cannot be purposefully supplied to on-road cars by distributors or fuel dealers. Similarly, drivers cannot intentionally put colored diesel in their cars. Although it’s good to avoid paying fuel taxes, using red diesel may result in expensive fines or possibly jail time.
Any gas tank that law enforcement officials suspect of being used unlawfully to use red-colored diesel may be sampled. Lab tests will reveal that it is difficult to even totally remove color from fuel. It is illegal to attempt to remove red dye, and there are harsh consequences for doing so.
Is red diesel and heating oil interchangeable?
Red diesel, or off-road fuel, is not the same as heating oil. Despite being red and free from taxes, they differ in terms of sulfur content. Red diesel has less than 15ppm of sulfur, whereas heating oil has 500ppm. It should be noted that while red diesel can replace heating oil, heating oil cannot replace red diesel due to the latter’s high sulfur content, which is harmful to the environment.How to Locate Off-Road Diesel Facilities in Your Area.
You can use the CFN site locator tool to look up the locations shown on the above map. The network of commercial fueling stations known as the Commercial Fueling Network (CFN) consists of truck stops, retail gas stations, and cardlocks that sell off-road diesel at the pump.
Use the CFN site locator by following the instructions below to locate off-road diesel locations in your area.
Please allso Read: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS: EXPLORING THE WORLD
