While theoretically it is possible to mix vegetable oil with diesel fuel to run a diesel engine, this practice is illegal in France. Violators expose themselves to a heavy fine, in addition to having to pay the TIPP on the contents of their tank!
The price of fuel continues to rise, many motorists are looking for alternative solutions to lower their bills. In recent times, mixing vegetable oils, mainly rapeseed oil or frying oil, with diesel fuel has appeared as the solution to many owners of diesel vehicles. But be careful, if the use of this type of mixture is possible without too many mechanical risks (see box), this is not the case with regard to French customs legislation.
Indeed, this type of “petro-vegetable” cocktail is completely illegal, because all fuels sold in France, whatever their origin, are subject to the internal tax on petroleum products (TIPP). Aside from a strong smell of frying on the exhaust outlet, it is difficult to know first-hand if a car uses a diesel / vegetable oil mixture, unlike cars that run on domestic fuel betrayed by reddish marks around the fuel cap. . However, no offender is immune, because one can be controlled at any time and anywhere in the territory by customs officers. Indeed, it is up to the General Directorate of Customs and Indirect Rights (DGDDI) to collect the TIPP and therefore to repress any fraud. "The surprised motorist is liable to a fine of up to twice the amount of duties and taxes evaded for breach of the regulations on petroleum products and he will also have to settle the TIPP applicable to diesel", specifies the DGDDI. The damage is then assessed by customs officials based on the estimated quantity of the mixture present in the tank.
Econology note: according to this, the current "pseudo crisis" on fuels would only have had a rather negative effect on HVB. It has, in fact, made our leaders aware that the movement of HBV users was undoubtedly more important than they thought. They thus hurried to set up a repressive or preventive policy (for potential future consumers) and above all highly publicized. Did you say: "France, a country of human rights"?