red diesel

Technical Alert Issued on Red Diesel Specifications

An alert on fuel specifications for mobile and static plant powered by gas oil (red diesel) engines has been issued following feedback from owners and manufacturers. The alert advises owners and users of potential problems if the incorrect specification of fuel is used, particularly machines fitted with EU Stage V

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Issue 322 : Nov 2024

red diesel

Red Diesel countdown: MHM Group urges the plant hire and construction sector to adopt cleaner fuel alternatives

Many industries will be affected when red diesel loses its tax-free status in April 2022. With less than six months to go until red diesel users will be charged the full fuel tax to reflect on the emissions they produce, the MHM Group is urging industry leaders to adopt the use of cleaner alternatives, in particular HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). Red diesel is widely used in the agricultural, marine and construction sectors, and although at present business owners benefit from a 47p-per-litre tax rebate for its use, as of April 2022 they will have to switch to ordinary ‘white’ diesel costs, taxed at the full rate. That means many businesses will be paying five times as much in fuel duty as they do currently.          In the wake of rising costs and significant impacts on the environment, a market leading equipment manufacturer, the MHM Group is urging businesses within the plant hire and construction industries to consider switching to HVO fuel as a greener, more sustainable alternative. HVO is a premium quality fuel made from 100% renewable raw materials, and can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% when likened with fossil-fuel diesel. Every 1,000 litres of diesel burned produces 3.6 tonnes of greenhouse gas CO2, compared to just 195kg GHG CO2 for every 1,000 litres of HVO burned. The MHM Group has itself recently confirmed that all of its diesel-powered machinery, principally generators and lighting towers, are now fully compatible, approved and safe for use with HVO fuel. Commenting on how the rental market can reduce its carbon footprint, the MHM Group’s Managing Director Mat Llewellyn said: “Everyone in the industry has been aware that green changes are on the horizon, but often these deadlines come up much faster than we first anticipate. For that reason, we have been doubling down on our efforts to ensure that Bolt, our new equipment for sale and our rehire fleet becomes more sustainable and that we can offer solutions to the construction sector on eliminating harmful carbon emissions. “Using HVO is significant a part of this process and becomes even more important with the tax rises to red diesel and the growing consensus on the need for action to address climate change. We are also continuing to invest heavily in other renewables, such as solar and battery hybrid engine and diesel free machines, as part of our comprehensive approach to a sustainable future.” Launched in 2010, the MHM Group is the leading supplier of a range of sustainable equipment, including solar hybrid generators and solar lighting towers. The supplier offers a range of innovative products that emit zero carbon and can be powered by renewable fuel sources. For more information on MHM and its equipment, visit http://www.mhmplant.com.

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Technical Alert Issued on Red Diesel Specifications

An alert on fuel specifications for mobile and static plant powered by gas oil (red diesel) engines has been issued following feedback from owners and manufacturers. The alert advises owners and users of potential problems if the incorrect specification of fuel is used, particularly machines fitted with EU Stage V engines.  This is because engines used in modern construction plant are becoming more sophisticated to reduce exhaust emissions and improve fuel consumption and can be a particular problem for engines designed to meet stage V emission requirements. It is therefore essential that plant owners and users are using the correct fuel for their machines, as specified by the plant manufacturer.  Some manufacturers have reported cases of fuel filters on later designed engines blocking where incorrect specification fuels are used and state that where filters are not changed, possible damage to the fuel and after treatment systems, especially on stage V engines, can occur with the results being potentially extremely expensive.  With plant manufacturers continuously improving the technologies used within plant diesel engines, plant owners and users are strongly advised to check that the fuel obtained or used by themselves or their customers complies with the plant manufacturer’s specification and contact the manufacturer if need be to check the fuel requirements for their machines. If the incorrect specification fuel is used, it can and has resulted in costly engine breakdowns and recovery costs. There is also a possibility that a manufacturer’s warranty would be void. Where plant is on site for long periods or hired on a non-operated basis, it is essential that all plant users are made aware of the correct fuel specification by the plant owner, as the user or a designated person or persons will generally be responsible for refuelling the machine and that the information has cascaded down to all those involved. The information alert provides information on the different fuel specifications that are available and the potential problems and can be downloaded from: https://www.cpa.uk.net/technicalalerts/ 

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