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Jun 20, 2008 10:45 pm US/Central
Some Drivers Saving Cash With Off-Road Only Diesel
(WCCO)
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To get around paying high prices, some folks are using what's known as dyed diesel. However, it's against the law to use it in your on-road trucks or cars. (File)
CBS
Perfect weather makes us all want to get out and about, but gasoline prices are hurting the bottom line, and making many Minnesotans rethink some plans.
To get around paying high prices, some folks are using what's known as dyed diesel. However, it's against the law to use it in your on-road trucks or cars.
It kind of looks like red Kool-Aid, but it's actually diesel fuel with a little something added.
"It's just a tint of dye in there," said Tony Yocum, with the Yocum Oil Company.
Dyed diesel powers a lot of off-road vehicles like tractors on farms.
"The dyed diesel fuel application is for the off-road trucks and mining equipment, agriculture equipment and heavy equipment," continued Yocum.
The red dye lets investigators know this diesel is different from the kind you get at the gas station. The only thing that makes it unique is its price tag. Because it's solely for off-road vehicles, the taxes we normally pay to drive on the highway are dropped.
For that reason, using it on the road is like cheating on your taxes.
"The tax in Minnesota, both federal and state amounts to about 46.6 cents," said Yocum.
Uncle Sam wants to make sure he gets his money, so the dye is highly concentrated. That way if it's mixed with regular diesel, the red color still shows up.
Investigators say some unlawful folks have been trying to save about 50 cents a gallon by filling up with dyed diesel.
The state patrol has been doing checkpoints to make sure trucks are using regular diesel. The penalty for misusing dyed diesel is $10 per gallon or $1,000, whichever is greater.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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