Leigh Sinton, UK: Hultsteins advises temperature-controlled operators to prepare early for the withdrawal of the tax rebate on red diesel from 1 April.
Operators should be aware that while it is necessary to run down all the red diesel in each tank, it is not mandatory to clean the system.
“Some operators may be of the belief that the existing red diesel in each tank can be used until empty from 1 April 2022 and thereafter that the tank should be cleaned,, Not so,” says Graham Usher, UK managing director, Hultsteins which makes diesel-free fridge alternatives.
An HMRC white paper states that continued use of red diesel from this date can attract a £250 fine for each unit.HMRC advice states: ”…the government expects users of vehicles and machinery losing their red diesel entitlement to ensure that they do not purchase red diesel for use from 1 April 2022 and run down their existing stocks before that date.”
Hultsteins says that a Hultsteins hydraulic fridge system that can be fitted to any truck or drawbar system allows operators to stop using diesel altogether.
“There’s no question that anybody taking this easy and affordable course of action will benefit from reduced fuel consumption, lower carbon output, less noise and significant reductions in NOx and particulate emissions,” Usher says.”Also, apart from the obvious environmental benefits, operators will be able to drive into the numerous clean air zones currently being identified by local authorities throughout this year and next.”
