Is there any difference between red diesel and white diesel (other than colour and duty payable)?

Answer 1

No difference in the fuel itself; the dye can be removed BUT there is a trace element in the red that H.M.Customs and Excise can detect when red diesel is used illegally, even if the dye has been removed. Customs and police set up checkpoints specifically to catch those using duty free (red) diesel illegally. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Just the dye. But Customs & Excise DON'T check just the colour (as ANYBODY can just dye their legitimate diesel - they check the 'specific gravity' which is a tiny bit different. No idea what the values are - but I've seen them doing roadside tests with a float meter....but I think that's more for people using 'heavy oil / kerosene' instead of red diesel.

Answer 3

Frankly I could never understand why the farmers joined in the fuel protests a few years back; I have yet to meet a farmer who doesn't use red diesel in all of their vehicles! :-]

Answer 4

The red diesel starts as white diesel... then they add red dye!!!

Potato skins are great at removing this dye if you want it clear again!!

Answer 5

no physical difference, just the colour to signify there's different levels of tax paid.
You'll get hammered if you use red diesel illegally.

Answer 6

there must be more difference as my vehicle runs much better on red than it does on white (off-road ofcourse) & much better again on veg oil / bio diesel. It runs smoother , quieter & cooler.
white diesel is crap .
potato skins ? how does that work ?

Answer 7

just the dye.

Answer 8

nothing..