White Diesel/DERV Compared to Other Diesel Fuels

Date Published: 18/11/2024

Whether you call it DERV, road diesel, white diesel or simply just diesel, as the most used fuel in the UK, you’re probably familiar with this type of fuel. However, there are also many other forms of diesel being used in Britain, including red diesel and green diesel. From the colour to the composition, in this guide we cover everything you need to know about the different types of diesel. This includes their uses, legislation and diesel alternatives.

White diesel vs red diesel: Is red diesel the same as white?

In terms of the structure of red and white diesel, these fuels are both composed of hydrocarbon molecules and chains. They are also formed from the same process, which involves distilling and refining crude oil, and they release the same greenhouses gases into the atmosphere. Where these two diesels differ is in their permitted uses.

The government introduced changes to red diesel in April 2022 and as such, it can no longer be used for a wide range of commercial applications. This change has impacted a number of sectors including construction, manufacturing, oil and gas extraction, plant hire and road maintenance.

However, some industries, such as agriculture and domestic heating, are exempt and can continue to use red diesel. Although these two diesels share the same properties can technically be used to fuel the same vehicles or engines, the restrictions control the use of rebated red diesel.

Can you use normal diesel instead of red diesel?

Yes, normal, road or white diesel can be used in place of red diesel. There are only two differences between these two types of diesel: their colours and their uses. Red diesel regulations ensure that is has an added marker-dye and as of April 2022, it can only be used to fuel off-road vehicles and equipment in a small number of industries.

White diesel vs green diesel

There are a variety of differences between white diesel and green diesel including how they are made, their composition and their environmental impact. Despite being labelled as white and green, these names have nothing to do with the colour of the fuels. White diesel is the diesel commonly used to fuel road vehicles while green diesel is a greener alternative.

White diesel is formed of different sized hydrocarbon molecules and is created from petroleum. Green diesel, on the other hand, is manufactured using renewable materials and is recognised as a biofuel. While white diesel is a compromised of fossil fuels and releases greenhouse gasses when burned, green diesel is a more environmentally friendly diesel that can reduce emissions by up to 90%.

Here at Your NRG, we’re helping commercial businesses make a transition to greener, cleaner fuels or future fuels. This includes HVO and GTL, two greener options that are better for the environment and will be key in helping the UK to reach net zero by 2050.

Ordering diesel from Your NRG

Whether you’re searching for the best price white diesel or you’re looking for a drop-in alternative to fossil fuel diesel, the Your NRG team can help. This includes deals on bulk fuel with no added fees, making it easy to transition to our range of future fuels. Get a quote to fuel your fleet or contact our team today with your diesel-related queries.