If you have ever run a digger, lawn mower, or any off-road machinery in the United Kingdom, chances are you have asked yourself this pressing question: Can I still use red diesel after April 2022? It is a reasonable question — and the short answer is: Not always. In fact, for most users, the answer is now a firm no.
Let’s analyse so you know exactly where you stand.
What is Red Diesel?
Red diesel, alternatively named gas oil, tractor diesel, or even cherry juice, is basically the same fuel as regular (white) diesel, with one major difference—it is dyed red. That red dye is not just for fun. It signals that this fuel is taxed at a lower rate and can only legally used in particular vehicles and machines that are used off public roads.
Red diesel is widely used in the following:
- Off-Road Machinery
- Agricultural and Horticultural Vehicles
- Commercial Boilers
- Rail Transport
- Domestic Heating Systems
Why the Change in 2022?
As part of the UK’s push toward a net-zero carbon future, the government announced a considerable shift: The duty rebate on red diesel was removed for the vast majority of industries starting April 1, 2022.
The objective? Encourage users to switch to cleaner, low-emission alternatives.
So, what does this mean for individuals utilising diggers or mowing large plots of land?
Who Can Still Use Red Diesel After April 2022?
Red diesel has not disappeared completely — it has simply become exclusive. Here is a list of sectors that can still legally use red diesel:
- Agriculture (plants & livestock)
- Forestry
- Horticulture (fruit & vegetables)
- Fish Farming
- Rail Transport (passenger, freight & maintenance vehicles on rails)
- Non-Commercial Heating (including homes off the grid, places of worship, town halls, and hospitals)
- Travelling Fairs & Circuses
- Community Amateur Sports Clubs (e.g., golf courses)
- Marine Transport (excluding private pleasure boats in Northern Ireland)
If your usage does not fall under these categories, you are no longer allowed to use red diesel.
Who Cannot Use Red Diesel Anymore?
As of April 2022, the following sectors and applications have lost access to tax-rebated red diesel:
- Construction
- Plant Hire
- Commercial Heating and Generators
- Haulage and Logistics
- Mining and Quarrying
- Ports and Road Maintenance
- Leisure Industries
- Waste Management
- Airport Operations
- Commercial Businesses (of any type)
This is where things get tricky for owners of diggers and lawn mowers.
Can I Use Red Diesel in My Digger?
If your digger is being used on a farm, in forestry, or for horticultural purposes, then yes, you are still within your rights to fuel it with red diesel.
But if your digger is:
- Hired out for construction
- Used for landscaping in a non-agricultural commercial setting
- Operating on a construction site
Unfortunately, red diesel is no longer permitted. You will be required to switch to white diesel or consider alternative fuel sources.
Can I Use Red Diesel in My Lawn Mower After April 2022?
Here is the answer that surprises many:
No — not unless your lawn mower is used for exempted purposes.
If you are a householder mowing your garden or a landscaper managing commercial green spaces, you cannot use red diesel anymore.
Nevertheless, if your lawn mower is being used:
- On a golf course run by a community amateur sports club
- For horticultural purposes, such as in fruit or vegetable farming
- As part of maintenance in agricultural settings
Then yes, the use of red diesel is allowed.
In short, unless you are mowing on behalf of an exempted group or sector, you will need to use white diesel from now on.
What Happens If You Break the Rules?
Using red diesel illegally is not just a slap-on-the-wrist offence. Here is what HMRC can do:
- Clean your vehicle’s system to remove all traces of red dye (at your cost)
- Charge storage and removal fees
- Backdate fines — you might be charged for the difference in fuel cost for as long as you have used red diesel illegally.
- Seize your vehicle
So, it is not worth the gamble.
Can I Keep Two Separate Tanks for Red and White Diesel?
Captivating idea, right? But no — HMRC has been very clear:
You cannot use two separate tanks for red and white diesel if they connect to the same engine.
Doing so can still be considered illegal use.
A Quick Recap: Who Can & Can’t Use Red Diesel
Still Allowed
- Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry
- Fish Farming
- Rail Transport
- Non-Commercial Heating & Power
- Marine Transport
- Amateur Sports Clubs
- Travelling Fairs & Circuses
No Longer Allowed
- Construction & plant hire
- Commercial Lawn Maintenance
- Mining & Ports
- Waste Management
- Commercial Heating & Generators
- Logistics, Leisure, and Airport Operations
To Conclude!
Red diesel is still around, but it is now reserved for very certain sectors. If you are running a digger on a construction site or mowing a private or commercial lawn, red diesel is no longer legal after April 2022. The rules are clear, the penalties are real, and compliance is non-negotiable.
So, check your usage and exemption status — and if in two minds, stick to white diesel.
At 123 Oil, we are dedicated to helping our clients stay compliant, informed, and fuelled correctly. Whether you are eligible for red diesel or require an alternative, our crew is here to guide you through the changes securely and legally.
