If you drive a diesel car or run a large piece of machinery like a tractor or steamroller you’ll be aware that, in the UK, there are essentially two varieties of available diesel, red and white.
What’s the difference between red and white diesel?
In fact, there’s almost no real difference between the two. Indeed, red diesel is just white diesel which has been dyed red; chemically, they’re pretty much identical. And while red diesel’s sulphur levels are slightly higher, that’s only because of the addition of the dye; it makes no difference operationally.
The two fuels share the same properties and comprise identical components.
The differences in the use of red and white diesel:
Red diesel is used off-road in vehicles and in machinery such as cranes, bulldozers and so on in the construction industry, as well as in domestic heating appliances. Its colour indicates that it has been bought at a lower rate of tax. The dye stains fuel tanks so that, if it comes to it, HMRC knows what type of fuel has been used.
You cannot legally use the red version on public roads in road vehicles. You need to use white fuel, available at local petrol stations and taxed at a higher rate than its red-coloured counterpart.
However, there are some exceptions to this general rule. For instance, vehicles working in forestry, agriculture, horticulture or aquatic farming can legally use red diesel, as can those on a golf course or land a travelling fair is occupying.
Why would you need an emergency red and white diesel fuel service?
You may need a service like this for red diesel to prevent critical operational downtime so that vital machinery, generators, heating systems and transport fleets can still operate if their regular fuel supplies are either unavailable or have been exhausted.
In agriculture and farming, for example, a fuel delivery can keep vital machinery operational, while in construction this service may be needed in an emergency to power excavators, cranes, bulldozers or site generators and avoid work stoppages.
A solution like this may also be needed to supply fuel to heat schools, places of worship and so on during the winter, or to fuel emergency generators in hospitals and data centres so that power is not lost.
For white diesel, emergency supplies can keep commercial fleets of HGVs, delivery vans and the like on the road if fuel runs out or a scheduled refuelling is missed. It may also be needed to power emergency vehicles such as ambulances and police cars.
And on urban construction sites, where environmental regulations demand standard fuel, you may also need white diesel in an emergency so construction machinery can keep running.
Potential emergency scenarios could include unforeseen shortages if, for example, a supplier doesn’t deliver on time, or you consume more diesel than anticipated. Or, sometimes, extreme weather may increase demand or make some sites inaccessible without specialist tankers.
Finally, if you’re unlucky enough to need immediate replacement in the wake of a fuel theft, or to experience equipment failure, again an emergency replenishment service stands ready to help.
We deliver emergency diesel 24/7
At LV Fuel Services, we’re emergency red and white diesel suppliers and appreciate the importance of rapid, dependable delivery. We have the logistics to deliver cost-effectively if you face a last-minute emergency, with the flexibility to supply however little or much you need, wherever in the UK you require it.
For the last 25 years, we’ve been all about helping businesses across a wide range of industries and sectors. Our customers return to us time after time thanks to our:
- Professionalism
- Reasonable prices
- Outstanding customer service
- Care for the environment including full compliance with all relevant legislation
- Expertise in talking people through the process from start to finish
We could help you, too. Request a quote today and keep our contact details to hand for when you may need them in an emergency.
Email info@lvfuelservices.co.uk or call 0800 799 9739.
