What is red diesel?

Red diesel is a term for gas oil which is typically intended for use other than as fuel in road vehicles. Generally speaking, all vehicles using the road must use fully duty paid petrol or diesel at all times. Red diesel has to be marked with red dye (hence the name), as well as other chemical markers to prevent misuse in road vehicles. The dye stains the fuel tanks and other components red so it’s clear that it’s rebated, red diesel which has been used, and has therefore been subject to less fuel duty than normal. This has been the case since 1961. 

Who could use red diesel before the Government changes in April 2022?

Before April 2022, red diesel could be used across a number of sectors and for a number of reasons. Essentially, it could be used in any machine provided it was not a road vehicle and was being used for off road purposes. For example, it could be used to power things like mobile generators on construction sites and it could be used in non-road mobile machinery, such as cranes and bulldozers. 

What are the changes to red diesel use?

At Budget 2020, the government announced that it was removing the entitlement to use red diesel from most sectors, except for agriculture (as well as horticulture, forestry and fish farming), rail and non-commercial heating, effective from 1st April 2022. Those sectors that are permitted to continue using red diesel after April 2022 are listed below:

• vehicles used to propel passengers, freight, or maintenance vehicles designed to run on rail tracks.
• fuel for heating and electricity generation in non-commercial premises. This includes the heating of homes and buildings such as places of worship, hospitals, and town halls, off-grid power generation, and non-propulsion uses on permanently moored houseboats.
• fuel for maintaining community amateur sports clubs as well as golf courses.
• fuel for all marine craft operating in the UK (including fishing and water freight industries), except for propelling private pleasure craft in Northern Ireland.
• fuel for powering the machinery (including caravans) of travelling fairs and circuses.

However, the government has said it will continue to review the use of red diesel across these permitted sectors, especially as alternative fuel and power sources become available. In other words, that list could be getting even smaller in the future! 

What are the potential problems with the changes to red diesel usage?

Changing over from red diesel to white diesel will have a cost implication for many businesses. Here’s what you need to know:

• White diesel has a fuel duty rate of 57.95 pence per litre. 
• Red diesel is entitled to a rebate of 46.81 pence per litre, effectively giving it a duty rate of 11.14 pence per litre. 

For businesses who are making the switch from red diesel to white diesel, this means that for every pence per litre used, they would incur an additional 46.81 pence cost. 

This results in businesses paying five times as much duty as before, and it will have a significant impact on costs as well as cash flow for many businesses. Furthermore, if businesses are caught using red diesel after April 2022 when they’re not permitted to, it will be a criminal offence and perpetrators can be prosecuted and face heavy fines or even jail time if found guilty. 

What are the benefits of the change?

The government’s goal to drive down the use of red diesel is good news for the environment. The intention behind restricting the use of red diesel is to try and reduce the damaging environmental impact of fossil fuels, and the change was brought in to help meet the UK’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. 

Removing the red diesel rebate for most users will raise taxes, which the government will reinvest into greener solutions. It will also serve as an incentive for businesses to move towards using cleaner energy sources that still do benefit from lower tax rates, and to eventually encourage more businesses to move away from using diesel as a fuel source altogether. 

Here’s where we can help with the switch from red diesel

We know many businesses rely on pressure washers to keep anything from their work areas, building exteriors, equipment and machinery clean and in pristine condition by effectively and efficiently removing grime and dirt, which accumulates over time. But where businesses would have been able to power an engine driven pressure washer with red diesel before the changes in April 2022, today they would be required to use white diesel to power the same machine. 

For many businesses the added expense of using white diesel to power an engine driven pressure washer in addition to other costs is not a viable option. That’s where our electrically heated pressure washer comes in. These pressure washers use 100% electricity for everything, from their controls, running the pressure pump and to heating the water. Not only do they deliver a first class clean, but their low running costs means they’re an excellent solution to the increased costs now associated with engine driven pressure washers. So if you’re thinking about making the switch to a greener and more cost effective cleaning solution, our experienced and professional team here at Fleetclean are on hand to guide you through the process. 

Electrically-heated pressure washers are an incredibly versatile, environmentally friendly tool with a wide range of uses. They’re essential for keeping anything from building exteriors, outdoor areas and external surfaces in tip top condition by effectively and efficiently eliminating dirt, grime (and even graffiti!) which can easily build up over time. They’re also capable of removing tough grime, mud and debris from machinery, which ultimately helps to maintain the performance and the appearance of equipment. Whatever the job, they make light work of many cleaning tasks. And they really couldn’t be easier to use. Provided there’s a power source, an electric pressure washer is good to go!

What makes electric pressure washers environmentally friendly?

Electrically-heated pressure washers use less water than a standard hose when completing the same jobs, which is great when it comes to reducing your water usage and therefore your overall water bill. At Fleetclean, we offer an emission free pressure washer with low running costs, but without compromising on high performance, which is great considering that many businesses are becoming increasingly aware and wanting to reduce their environmental impact.

What makes electric pressure washers so versatile?

Compared to their petrol counterparts, electrically-heated pressure washers are substantially quieter and can be used indoors or in enclosed spaces, as there’s no fumes to worry about. This makes the electric pressure washer an effective tool when it comes to cleaning a wide range of locations! To achieve optimum results when using an electrically-heated pressure washer, it’s always a good idea to think about what it is that needs to be cleaned. For example, pressure washers equipped with specialised nozzles can be used to effectively clean and remove debris from industrial pipelines, sewers and drainage systems.

Pressure washers are also brilliant when it comes to cleaning hard surfaces such as factory, warehouse or commercial garage floors, and they’re ideal for cleaning areas where there’s stubborn dirt and stains which are tough to shift (such as oil). They’re also highly effective at removing debris and dirt in agricultural settings, as well as removing cement residue and cleaning vehicles on construction sites. Fortunately, we have a comprehensive range of cleaning equipment to suit many different cleaning requirements as we know having the right tools for the job is essential for getting the job done both efficiently and effectively.

Whether it’s cleaning floors, agricultural equipment or commercial vehicles, in order to achieve the best possible finish, it’s well worth using the right detergents for the job. At Fleetclean, we offer a full range of high quality chemicals, which suit all of our cleaning equipment. So whether it’s machinery, flooring or building exteriors in need of a clean, our range of cleaning equipment paired with our specialist detergents will ensure a thoroughly deep clean is achieved.

Where can electrically-heated pressure washers be used?

• If you work in construction, pressure washers can be used to remove cement and mortar residues from equipment, as well as clean construction vehicles.
• Pressure washers can be used to clean machinery in agricultural settings, and they can also be used to clean farm buildings and animal enclosures of dirt, debris and manure.
• In factories and warehouses, pressure washes are incredibly effective when it comes to cleaning floors, walls and any equipment/machinery.
• Pressure washers are also used in manufacturing processes in order to clean parts and equipment which have been used in production.
• In the food industry, pressure washers are used for cleaning processing equipment, conveyor belts, and production areas so that high hygiene standards are maintained and also serve to prevent contamination.
• Electrically-heated pressure washers are often used by transportation companies in order to clean trucks, buses and other commercial vehicles in order to maintain their appearance.

At Fleetclean, we have a range of reliable, high quality pressure washers, with both short and long term hire options available to suit your specific cleaning requirements. So regardless of what it is that needs cleaning, our knowledgeable team is on hand to help you hire the right equipment to match your cleaning and financial requirements.

It’s undeniable that industrial green cleaning is the way of the future. Whilst industrial cleaning can have a significant impact on the environment, it is an essential component of sustaining a safe and healthy workplace and that’s why it’s essential to adopt trends and concepts that can assist in making industrial cleaning practices as green as possible. Thankfully, environmentally friendly industrial cleaning products and methods of cleaning can be just as effective and even cheaper than traditional methods, leading to increased efficiency and productivity for industrial companies. So, if you’re interested in what industrial green cleaning can do for your business, check out some of the most significant green industrial cleaning trends to embrace in 2023…

1. Using Industrial Green Cleaning Products

The utilisation of eco friendly industrial cleaning products is on the rise as we move through 2023. These cleaning products are designed to be less harmful to human health and the environment because they are made from natural and renewable resources. Additionally, these environmentally friendly industrial cleaning products are just as efficient at disinfecting and cleaning industrial areas, as their traditional counterparts. That means switching to eco-friendly industrial cleaning products is a no brainer for many businesses as they can all the environmental benefits with no decrease in cleaning performance.

2. Investing in Water Conservation

Industrial cleaning can significantly deplete our water supply, which is a precious resource and that’s why, in the industrial sector, water conservation is becoming a top priority for many industrial businesses. There are a number of different ways to do this including making use of industrial green cleaning products and equipment that help to save water, like steam cleaners and high-pressure washers. Businesses, like ours, are also looking at ways to recycle water from other business processes, to reuse it in cleaning practices.

3. Using Energy-Efficient Industrial Green Cleaning Equipment

Another long-lasting trend for industrial green cleaning in 2023 is using energy-efficient cleaning equipment. This sort of equipment utilises less energy to work, and therefore decreases the carbon footprint of modern cleaning processes. Organisations can also investigate sustainable power sources, for example, solar and wind power, to power their cleaning equipment. Even we have hopped onto this trend, as we now offer our revolutionary electrically heated pressure washer range. Built & designed to meet the demands of the modern workplace where a cleaner environment is required, without the downside of a large carbon footprint. Our electric pressure washer range delivers low running costs, high performance and zero emissions, meaning there has never been a better time to go electric and get your hands on this environmentally friendly industrial cleaning machine..

4. Reducing Waste and Recycling

Reducing waste and recycling are essential components of green industrial cleaning practices. Organisations can carry out reusing programs for materials like paper, plastic, and metal. They can likewise decrease waste by utilising refillable eco-friendly industrial cleaning products too.

5. Embrace Industrial Green Cleaning Practices

In the end, businesses can reduce their impact on the environment by adopting green industrial cleaning practices like those listed above. This also includes scheduling cleaning in a way that uses as few resources as possible, like cleaning during off-peak hours, when there is likely to be less disruption to the cleaning process. They can also put policies into place to make sure that cleaning equipment is kept in good working order, which will cut down on waste and the need for new machines. And of course, encouraging employees to use environmentally friendly industrial cleaning products should also be a key action.

Companies can contribute to a more sustainable future for everyone and create a healthier and more sustainable workplace by implementing these practices and investing in environmentally friendly industrial cleaning products. Read more about green industrial cleaning trends for the last few years in another one of our blogs.