Latest on Red Diesel

[Phoenix_V]

Good news for once

Got this from another site, it seems that red diesel for propulsion will only be charged vat at 5% not 17.5% as previously indicated

(the vat is in addition to the duty)

 

 

HMRC site for details

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/excise-duty/brief4908.htm

 

The Motor Boats Monthly news story

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20080909145755mbmnews.html

[alan_fincher]

Good news for once

Got this from another site, it seems that red diesel for propulsion will only be charged vat at 5% not 17.5% as previously indicated

(the vat is in addition to the duty)

HMRC site for details

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/excise-duty/brief4908.htm

 

The Motor Boats Monthly news story

http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20080909145755mbmnews.html

This is indeed good news, particularly as it seems to reverse previous statements on the point.

 

The fact that a 60/40 declaration will largely go unchallenged, coupled with the VAT rate not being hiked for the "propulsion" component will do some way to lessen the blow of losing the derogation.

 

If it manages to keep the canalside price of "red" below the forecourt price of "white" it will be great, as it should help cut down on pollution of people attempting to refuel from jerrycans and plastic containers.

 

(But note that because VAT is charged on top of the fuel duty, the increase in duty will still have a further 5% added to it....)

[Brinsail]

Q&A sez yes....

 

I still think people should start using Biodiesel though, if you look in the right places it's cheaper than Red & White diesel and is better for the engine and environment...

 

I work in the Diesel Engine industry - biofuel can be good for combustion, but a bit of an unknown as far as the reliability of really delicate engine components (Injection Pump & Injectors). Even the Fuel Injection Pump suppliers (won't name the one I deal with) are very cautious about giving any warranty on BioDiesel, or any higher than 5% mix. I'm unsure how big operators like Ford & Peugeot will deal with this.

 

One of the big differences in Biofuel & modern Diesels is the sulphur level - whilst this is good for the environment and much lower sulphur is essential for long-life function of the catalytic convertors, it has some other properties.

Sulphur component of fuel lubricates these very close-toleranced metal components and reduces wear.

Some years back (high sulphur) fuels had anything around 150 p.p.m. (parts per million) or more. Now 'Low Sulphur' is about 15ppm and talking about reducing down to 5ppm, mostly for cars to keep their expensive catalysts working.

 

Now if you're talking about a 40-yr old Lister, it definitely hasn't got a catalyst. Come to think of it I can't imagine any inland waterways boat having one - an unnecessary expense unless its legal requirement.

However a 40yr old Lister is definitely used to higher-sulphur fuel & probably other different chemical compounds to some found in Bio-diesel.

 

However, these old engines have probably lasted this long by some good luck and higher-quality engineered components compared to a 10-yr-old engine taken from a road vehicle. I'd probably be more concerned about inadvertant chemical wear on the more modern engines.

[Brinsail]

And, there is a way to convert the oils into a form of fuel that can be used in place of petrol, but that requires some really expert equipment...

 

Sorry, but petrol engines (anything with spark plugs) operate totally differently.

You basically need a fuel that evaporates for this kind of engine, like alcohol. However that's gonna be more expensive 'cos there's better uses for that.

 

Your average University Chemistry Professor could potentially convert Chip Fat into something like petrol, but definitely not economical...

[Yoda]

Sorry, but petrol engines (anything with spark plugs) operate totally differently.

You basically need a fuel that evaporates for this kind of engine, like alcohol. However that's gonna be more expensive 'cos there's better uses for that.

 

Your average University Chemistry Professor could potentially convert Chip Fat into something like petrol, but definitely not economical...

 

Us good 'ole boys have been making it for years!