Just a quick one that has been bothering me for a while...
Is there any difference between DERV fuel and diesel? What does DERV stand for?
Sorry if this is really basic.
|
For a start,it's not a silly question and, by raising it, many others will benefit from any replies.
DERV stands for Diesel Engined Road Vehicles. Any difference in diesel & Derv fuel? Not as far as I know, except the "coloured" untaxed variety, used by farmers, boaters etc.
|
That's great thanks for clearing that up. I thought that DERV was a grade of fuel.
|
Yep, diesel is a generic term for the fuel oil used in compression ignition engines.
Two main types sold in the UK:
1) DERV, Diesel Engined Road Vehicle - this stuff is clear(ish) in appearance, very heavily taxed, and on sale at a filling station near you.
2) Red Diesel, or Agriculural diesel, is the same thing but with a red dye added to it, sold at a much cheaper rate due to less tax being paid on it, but is illegal to use as a road vehicle fuel. (ie ok to use in tractors, contractors plant, generators, lorry refridgerator units)
So DERV is a type of diesel.
|
DIESEL - Name of clothing with street cred?
DVD (tic)
|
Erm ... why?
Why is a red dye added to it and s** the illegal bit, where can I get some? Im going through 60 quids worth of deisel a week and Im skint!
|
Diesel (Derv!), as you know (from you purse) is heavily taxed by the government - to the tune of around 60p / litre. Understandably this upsets farmers, boaters, and contractors who use non registered plant/boats etc, and people who use it for heating, and so don't want to pay the tax (do any of us!). The government therfore allows the sale of UNTAXED diesel (although I think it carries at least some VAT) for use in non road going vehicles (except tractors where it is also allowed, but they have limited road use). To differentiate between the taxed and untaxed stuff it is permanently dyed red - and I believe it may also now have an invisible 'tracer' added. Since it is not taxed for road use, it is illegal to use it in a road going vehicle, and Customs have been doing some stop and search recently. There's nothing to stop you buying a 900 gallon tank, putting it in your garden, and getting you local fuel supplier to fill it with red diesel for 'heating' and then putting it in your car - except it's illegal!. Of course, if you get caught with it in your tank, there are no doubt stiff penalties.
Grin and bear the fuel cost, and be glad it's not £85 / week on petrol!
Richard
|
|
I think that the penalties include confiscation of car, a fine (c. £5k) as well as repayment of tax. I am not sure about the last one.
|
|
Interesting punishment when the crime is looked at in the grand scheme of crimes potentially commitable.
|
|
|
|
Red dye is added to make it obvious where it has been used. Even highly diluted you will still get a trace of red in a sample taken from the fuel tank. (Wasn't there an easement on this during the fuel disputes?)
Don't buses get tax relief on their fuel? Not sure how this is done though. You could always try running your car on second hand vegetable oil.... :)
|
|
Except running your car on cooking oil is also illegal. Unless you declare it and pay the duty of course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For a start,it's not a silly question and, by raising it, many others will benefit from any replies. DERV stands for Diesel Engined Road Vehicles. Any difference in diesel & Derv fuel? Not as far as I know, except the "coloured" untaxed variety, used by farmers, boaters etc.
I bet you didn't know this....
Shell originally came up with the acronym DERV and tried to claim it was their trademark when other oil companies adopted it. The courts though this out as they decided that Shell were too slow in defending it.
By the way - Shell is a registered trademakr of the Shell Transport and Trading Company PLC - before summonds is sent in post.
|
|
|
|
