A wide variety of industries rely on commercial fuel for the smooth running of operations, including the marine, agricultural, industrial and automotive sectors. Choosing the right fuel is also crucial to the success of any business and there’s a wide range to choose from, including oils, solid fuels and lubricants. Certain fuel types are best suited to different applications and sectors, but if you’re new to the industry then it can be difficult to know where to start.

There are many benefits to choosing the right commercial fuel, including greater efficiency, money savings, fewer chances of breakdown and overall smoother performances from your vehicles or machinery. With this in mind, if you’re wondering which commercial fuel is best for your business, see below for our handy guide.

Gasoline

Commonly known as petrol, this fuel is a derivative product of crude oil (also called petroleum). After being extracted from the ground, crude oil is shipped to an oil refinery where it’s heated to temperatures above 350°C in a pressurised chamber. It’s then distilled into gasoline and mixed with additives to make it safe for use. These additives boost gasoline’s octane rating and act as a corrosion inhibitor to prevent severe engine damage.

If your business uses vehicles of any kind, then it’s likely that you’ll rely on petrol to fuel them (unless they have a diesel engine). Petrol is most commonly used to power cars or vans, but it can also be used in smaller machines like lawnmowers, leaf blowers or even small boat motors.

Diesel

Diesel is another derivative product of crude oil but it’s made using a different refining method. The crude oil l is heated to a lower temperature (between 200 and 350°C) before it’s distilled into diesel fuel. Diesel contains more energy per litre than gasoline and its engine combustion process is more efficient overall. This gives diesel greater fuel efficiency and it also produces lower CO2 emissions.

This is partly due to a difference in the way that diesel and petrol-fuelled engines operate. In a gasoline engine, the fuel is mixed with air, before being compressed by pistons and ignited with a spark plug. By contrast, a diesel engine compresses the air first, before fuel is injected.

Diesel fuel is often used to power larger vehicles, such as trucks, trains, buses and boats. It’s also a highly efficient fuel to use with agricultural or construction machinery. Some smaller vans and cars also use diesel and this tends to be a better option (compared to petrol cars) if your business involves a lot of travel. Diesel cars tend to be better for long journeys, so they make a smarter choice if your business includes a lot of product delivery or travel to client meetings.

Red diesel

Red diesel is the same fuel as regular diesel, but it has a red dye added to it to prevent it being used on road-going vehicles. Red diesel is used exclusively to power agricultural vehicles and machinery, fishing vessels, construction machines and forestry equipment. It’s subject to a lower fuel duty so that these industries can reclaim certain expenses and make a profit, therefore it’s illegal to use red diesel in a standard vehicle on public roads.

If your business uses company vehicles or vans then you’ll need to purchase regular diesel, however, if you rely on agricultural or construction machinery, choose red diesel for a more affordable fuel option.

Coal

Coal is a fossil fuel primarily used to generate electricity. Coal also has several further useful applications across different industries, including as power for steel production, cement manufacturing or as a liquid fuel. The UK government plans to ban the sale of coal for domestic use by 2023, however, it’s likely that it will still be used as a commercial fuel for years to come.

Coal is cheaper than natural gas or oil, so it’s a good choice if your business is on a budget. It’s also stable, reliable and produces high amounts of energy upon combustion. However, coal does have a significant impact on the environment and it’s a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Businesses might want to think twice about using coal as a commercial fuel if they’re aiming to be more environmentally friendly or cut down on their carbon footprint.

Kerosene

Kerosene is also known as heating oil or 28-second oil and it’s a robust, flammable liquid that can be used to generate heat, light or power. It’s most commonly used domestically to power home heating systems, however, it does have commercial uses and can be used to fuel industrial or commercial machinery and engines.

There are several advantages to using kerosene; firstly, it’s very safe, with a clean burn and a very low risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s also more affordable than gas and it produces far fewer fumes than coal, so it’s environmentally friendly too. It also has a long shelf life (as long as it’s stored correctly) so it’s a good choice if you run a business that relies on fuel sporadically.

If you’re using kerosene for commercial use then you’ll need Class C2; this is a heavier distillate version that’s suitable for use as domestic heating oil, as aviation fuel or for cleaning purposes.

Industrial lubricants

Lubricants are used to reduce the friction between two moving parts and they’re essential to ensure that your machines are performing to the highest standards. The majority of industrial lubricants have an organic base (like mineral oil or petroleum fraction), mixed with specialist additives to enhance performance.

An industrial lubricant can be in the form of grease, fluid or oil and they’re used with a wide variety of machines in the marine, automotive, industrial and agricultural sectors. If your business works with any type of large machinery then chances are that you’ll need an industrial lubricant to keep operations running smoothly. Lubricants reduce friction between surfaces, which in turn generates less heat and reduces wear and tear of your machinery parts. Lubricants also help to loosen dirt and rust and keep your machinery parts clean, so they’re a must-have if you work in an industry with heavy machine use.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is an alternative to traditional crude oil diesel, made from derivatives of plants or animals. It’s commonly made by chemically reacting a lipid, such as animal fat or vegetable oil, with an alcohol like methanol. This reaction makes the liquid less viscous and gives it additional energy so that it can still function efficiently in cold weather.

Biodiesel is said to release fewer pollutants and be more environmentally friendly than regular diesel, so it’s a good choice if you’re looking to increase your business’s eco-friendly credentials.

Commercial fuel delivery services in Devon- from the experts at Moorland Fuels

If you’re looking for a commercial fuel supplier for your business in Devon, get in touch with the professional team at Moorland Fuels. We understand that reliable, efficient fuel delivery is crucial for the success of your operations, which is why we’re on hand to deliver a range of high-quality fuels, as and when you need them.

As one of the most reliable fuel distributors in Devon, we stock a wide range of fuels to suit you, including heating oil, diesel, industrial lubricants and more. Our commercial fuel services also include fixed pricing strategies, tank to-up services and dedicated drivers so you can be sure that you’re getting a reliable, consistent service every time.

We also offer premium coal delivery, oil tank cleaning services, agricultural fuels, heating oil tank replacement and much more, so give us a call today or visit our website to discuss your fuel requirements.