Fuel Delivery Terms, Explained
The fuel industry has its own language. Whether you're new to bulk fuel delivery or a seasoned fleet manager, this glossary breaks down the terms you'll encounter when working with BettyJet.
C
Cetane Rating
Cetane rating (or cetane number) measures how quickly diesel fuel ignites in a compression-ignition engine. Higher cetane numbers mean faster ignition, smoother combustion, easier cold starts, and less engine noise. The ASTM D975 standard requires a minimum cetane number of 40, but premium diesel typically rates 45-55.
Read more →CPG
CPG stands for Cents Per Gallon — the standard unit for expressing fuel delivery margins, surcharges, and price differentials in the wholesale fuel industry. When a fuel broker quotes a price as 'rack plus 12 CPG,' it means the wholesale terminal price plus 12 cents per gallon for delivery and service.
Read more →D
DEF
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is a non-toxic solution of 32.5% automotive-grade urea and 67.5% deionized water. It is injected into the exhaust stream of modern diesel engines equipped with SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems to convert harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen and water vapor.
Read more →Demurrage
Demurrage is a fee charged when a fuel delivery truck is detained at the delivery site beyond the allotted free time for unloading. Most carriers allow 1-2 hours of free time for the driver to connect hoses, pump fuel, and complete paperwork. Time beyond that is billed as demurrage, typically $50-$150 per hour.
Read more →Dyed Diesel
Dyed diesel — also called red diesel or off-road diesel — is standard ULSD fuel that has been dyed red to indicate it is exempt from federal and state road taxes. It is chemically identical to on-road diesel but costs significantly less because the tax (typically $0.40-0.60/gallon) is not applied.
Read more →F
FBO
An FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) is a commercial business granted the right by an airport to operate on the field and provide aviation services. FBOs are the primary fueling providers for general aviation, offering Jet A fuel, avgas (100LL), aircraft parking, hangar space, and passenger services.
Read more →Flash Point
Flash point is the lowest temperature at which a fuel produces enough vapor to ignite when exposed to an open flame or spark. It is the primary safety metric for classifying, storing, and transporting fuels. Diesel has a relatively high flash point (100-130°F), making it safer to handle than gasoline (flash point: -45°F).
Read more →Fuel Polishing
Fuel polishing is the process of filtering and cleaning stored diesel fuel to remove water, microbial contamination, sediment, and degradation byproducts. It extends the usable life of stored fuel and prevents engine damage from contaminated diesel — critical for backup generators and emergency fuel supplies that may sit for months between uses.
Read more →Fuel Surcharge
A fuel surcharge is an additional fee added to a delivery price to account for the carrier's own fuel costs in transporting your order. As diesel prices rise, it costs more to operate the delivery truck — the fuel surcharge passes this variable cost through to the customer rather than building it into a fixed delivery rate.
Read more →S
SCR
SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is an emissions control technology used in modern diesel engines to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 90%. The system injects DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) into the exhaust stream, where a chemical reaction converts harmful NOx into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor.
Read more →SPCC Plan
An SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) Plan is an EPA-required document for facilities that store more than 1,320 gallons of oil or fuel above ground, or more than 42,000 gallons underground. The plan details how the facility prevents oil spills, controls them if they occur, and cleans them up.
Read more →Need Fuel Delivered?
Now that you know the terms, let's talk about your fuel needs. BettyJet delivers diesel, gasoline, jet fuel, DEF, and marine fuel across all 67 Florida counties.