Not many passenger cars run on diesel, and most people think of it as exclusively for huge commercial trucks. And they’re right: Diesel offers more power, gasoline delivers speed. But if you operate a commercial fleet, you may have also noticed that there’s two types of commercial fuel: on-road and off-road—and one of them costs less. And, you probably want to know the difference between on- and off-road diesel, and whether you can use the lower priced version!
So what’s the difference?
From a chemical perspective, both types of commercial fuels are identical. There’s zero difference in the performance of vehicles using on-road versus off-road fuel. The main difference is that off-road diesel is designated only for use in farm vehicles, construction equipment and vehicles that do not operate on public roads. Fuel for those types of vehicles is not taxed, so the cost is lower. To identify it as an untaxed fuel, off-read diesel is dyed red—and the fines are hefty if you get caught using it on an on-road vehicle. On-road diesel is clear. Additionally, you can get on-road diesel at retail gas stations, while off-road red diesel is only available from commercial dealers (like Southville!) and delivered in bulk.
Not sure what type of fuel is right for your fleet, or which of your vehicles might qualify for off-road fuel and the tax break? The commercial fuel team at Southville can help you navigate the rules for on- and off-road fuel and which one you should be using in your commercial vehicles.
Answer these questions to determine which type of fuel is right for your fleet.
Where are you driving your diesel vehicles? If you’re fleet is operating on public roads, such as highways or public streets, you’ll need to fill them up with on-road diesel. Off-road diesel is only for use on private property, such as on a construction site or a farm. Keep in mind that Federal rules for on- and off-road vehicles apply everywhere, but some specific uses may be allowed in different states.
What type of vehicles do you use? Trucks, cars, buses, and other diesel-engine vehicles that travel on roads, streets and highways take on-road diesel fuel. Vehicles like tractors and forklifts, and other equipment such as generators, can use off-road fuel.
Whether you need clear or red-dyed diesel for your farm, construction, manufacturing, snowplow, or other business, Southville Petroleum has you covered. We’ve got three decades of experience supporting businesses in central Long Island with dependable commercial fuel services. We provide on- and off-road diesel fuel, with bulk deliveries as well as on-site fueling stations to save you time and money.
Talk to our team! We’ll assess your needs and help you schedule and manage your fuel deliveries, and help you track your fuel usage to reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
We’re always here to take your call. Contact us today to find out how we can make doing business easier for you.