Red diesel (gas oil)
Keep your off-road vehicles and equipment moving with assured, competitive red diesel supply from Certas Energy.
About red diesel
(gas oil)
Red diesel is a type of fuel that is used in off-road vehicles and machinery only. The fuel is also known as gas oil or tractor diesel and is used in multiple industries, including farming, construction, factories, hospitals and rail. However, red diesel usage is typically more prominent in agriculture and construction.
Red diesel fuel is essentially the same as white diesel fuel, the only difference is that it contains a red dye dye to identify illegal usage in on-road vehicles. Red diesel is cheaper than white diesel due to lower fuel tax duty against the grade, although not entirely exempt, it is heavily rebated. Certas Energy is a reliable supplier of red diesel, with over 900 tankers available to deliver fuel to businesses nationwide.
WHY BUY RED DIESEL FROM CERTAS ENERGY?
- 130 local depots across the UK
- 900 tankers delivering red diesel nationwide
- Quality product from reputable refineries
- Flexible payment options and credit terms
- Competitive red diesel pricing
- Excellent customer service

CONTACT OUR FUEL TEAM FOR RED DIESEL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is red diesel?
Red diesel is a fuel manufactured for use in off-road vehicles, machinery, plant equipment and generators. The fuel is heavily used in construction and farming industries in tractors, forklifts, combine harvesters, back-up generators and more. Red diesel is also used in the marine sector and has particularly high usage in fishing boats and fleets. It is also used in refrigeration units on lorries.
Red diesel is the same as regular diesel, but it contains a red dye to prevent it being used illegally on public roads. Red diesel is not designed for use in on-road vehicles, so the red dye helps police officers and authorities easily identify if it is being illegally used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I buy red diesel from?
Red diesel is not designed for general sale and can only be purchased from specialist fuel suppliers. Red diesel fuel is heavily regulated and misuse of the fuel can lead to legal repercussions, so it’s important to ensure that your purchase is made with a reliable supplier.
Certas Energy is an industry-leader of red diesel fuel supply. As the UK’s largest fuel distributor with 900 tankers delivering nationwide every day, our infrastructure allows us to provide quality red diesel, at competitive prices, with reliable service all year round. We can deliver red diesel in tankers to suit your needs, from 500 litres to 36,000 litres. Call 0345 600 4040 to speak to your local team or request a quote online.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much is red diesel?
The price of red diesel changes daily due to influences from the global oil market. Prices can also depend on quantity and location, so the price of red diesel really depends on the order being placed and what’s currently happening in the market.
Red diesel is cheaper than white diesel because customers are required to pay a lower fuel tax duty on it. The fuel has been designed to power agricultural vehicles, construction machinery and other types of commercial vessels, vehicles and machinery. To help these industries make a profit, tax duties on red diesel fuel can be reclaimed.
Certas Energy is proud to be a competitive red diesel supplier and strives to offer our customers a great red diesel price. Find out today’s red diesel prices by speaking to a member of our friendly team on 0345 600 4040 or request a quote online and your local team will come back to you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which vehicles can use red diesel?
Red diesel works in any diesel-powered vehicle, however there are strict laws in place for the conditions of its use. Red diesel can be legally used in:
- Construction vehicles such as movable cranes, bulldozers, diggers, JCBs and tippers
- Tractors and light farming vehicles that are used for agriculture or forestry purposes
- Mowers
- Vehicles used to clear snowfall or icy weather conditions, such as gritters
- Road structure vehicles
- Exempt vehicles which are approved for partial use on public roads, such as agriculture vehicles that are being moved between farm land (distance must not exceed 1.5km) and work vehicles that are being moved between sites (distance must not exceed 1km)
Red diesel cannot be used in on-road vehicles and the use of red diesel in cars or vehicles on public roads is considered tax evasion and therefore illegal. However, a small selection of vehicles are exempt from this law and are allowed to use red diesel on public roads, but only if they are being used to facilitate work for the above industries and under certain conditions.
FAME AND RTFO
Remember my name: FAME
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does red diesel have any alternative names?
- gas oil
- tractor diesel
- rebated kerosene
- 35 seconds
- cherry juice
- cherry red
- agricultural diesel
- medium diesel
- digger fuel
- marine diesel
- generator diesel
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the purpose of red diesel?
Red diesel is designed to help industries that need a cheaper fuel for work-related purposes. So, the purpose of red diesel is to be used in industries that rely heavily on machinery and vehicles to operate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Which industries may lose the red diesel rebate in 2022?
The UK government is reportedly considering removing the lower taxed rebated red diesel that is used in all off road vehicles for certain industries. If the changes are confirmed, then red diesel fuel will only be allowed to be used in agriculture, fishing, rail and home use and so higher costs will apply to other industries that use off-road vehicles and machinery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What quantity of red diesel can I purchase?
As a leading UK supplier of red diesel, Certas Energy can cater to your red diesel fuel needs. Orders start from 500 litres and we can deliver as much as 36,000 litres to your site. Call 0345 600 4040 to speak to your local team or request a quote online.