From: rertman@ix.netcom.com
Date: Sat May 29 2004 - 08:44:13 PDT
Bjorn:
I don't know the applicable law in VA, but there are some general legal principles.
One of them is, basically, if there's no applicable law, it's not illegal.
In general, road taxes are charged on fuel you buy at the pump when you fill up at your
local filling station. You'll have to check out your state's laws to find out if taxes
apply to home made fuels like veggie oil. Legally, the taxes are levied on the producers
and retailers, who then pass them on to the consumers (you and me). I suspect that, like
most states, VA hasn't yet trued to tax home made fuels. It would be very difficult to
monitor everyone who makes their own fuel in their garage or barn. Your veggie oil
isn't dyed and that's what's used to determine whether or not you're using off-road fuel
in your on-road vehicle.
You're probably safe using all the veggie oil you want, but I strongly suggest that you
check out the VA laws.
Regards,
Dick
Bjorn Brandstedt wrote:
>
> Good morning,
>
> Something for the legal experts on the list.
> What percentage of additives can you run in your fuel tank without getting
> in trouble taxwise?
>
> I'm currently experimenting with adding straight vegetable oil to the diesel
> in my M35 multifuel. I have been told that a mixture of up to 20% will work
> just fine (in the summertime, anyway), but at which point does the law kick
> in. As you know fuel for off-highway use is dyed to catch cheeters.
>
> Does anybody know of a case(s) where users of homemade biodiesel have been
> fined for not paying a road tax? What about straight vegetable oil? When is
> it no longer a non taxable additive?
>
> My current mixture is 10% veggie oil and 90% diesel....
>
> Bjorn,
> MVPA19212
> Meadows of Dan, Virginia
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