The difference between on-road and off-road diesel is simpler than you think.
Though they are both diesel fuels and both can be used to power diesel-fueled engines, there are a few major differences.
So what are the differences between on-road and off-road diesel?
What’s Road legal
This next part may be the most important difference between on-road and off-road diesel.
On-road diesel is, as the name suggests, legal for vehicles to use on the road. This is the kind of diesel that you’d find being dispensed at gas stations. Any vehicle licensed for use on roads in the United States is required to use on-road diesel.
Off-road diesel is meant for any machine not being driven on a road, like tractors, construction equipment, and generators. It is NOT legal to put off-road diesel in a vehicle that drives on roads. In addition, putting off-road diesel in an on-road vehicle can result in significant fines.
The Difference in Dye
On-road diesel is sometimes called “clear diesel” because, as the name suggests– it’s clear. Off-road diesel, on the other hand, is called “dyed diesel” or “red diesel” because it’s usually dyed the color red. The dye is used so people don’t get the types of diesel mixed up, and also allows for simple testing to determine what kind of diesel is being used in a vehicle at a glance.
The Difference between On and Off Road Diesel & Taxes
Because it’s not used in vehicles driven on roads, off-road diesel is not taxed and is cheaper than on-road diesel. However, because on-road diesel is driven on public roadways, it is subject to an excise tax.
There is no difference in performance between the two types of diesel, but for businesses operating off-road vehicles, it’s less expensive to use off-road diesel. You can use on-road diesel in off-road vehicles, but you would be unnecessarily paying state and federal taxes on the fuel.
In Summary..
On-road diesel and off-road diesel are essentially the same product in the end. The required specification for both new on-road vehicles and new off-road equipment is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) having no more than 15 ppm Sulphur.
Get It Delivered!
McIntosh Energy can deliver on-road diesel and off-road diesel directly to your site in the Allen County, IN area. There are countless benefits to getting your fuel delivered – you will be less stressed worrying about running out of fuel on your site, flexibility in delivery time, and you can cancel at any time. To learn more about fuel delivery by McIntosh Energy, click here.
