gasóleo

Gasóleo is the term used in Spain and Portugal for diesel fuel, a distillate used in compression-ignition engines. It is the counterpart of gasoline (gasolina) for spark-ignition engines. While “gasóleo” is widely understood in Iberian contexts as diesel, in many other markets the same product is simply called diesel.

Gasóleo is produced from crude oil by refining and treatment to meet specific properties, including cetane number, lubricity, and sulfur content. In the European Union, road diesel generally complies with EN 590 standards and modern fuels are ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) with very low sulfur levels. Diesel may be blended with biodiesel or other additives to improve performance, cold-flow characteristics, and emissions.

Used primarily in vehicles and machinery with diesel engines—cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and some ships—gasóleo is valued for higher energy density and fuel efficiency. Diesel engines typically emit less carbon dioxide per unit of energy than gasoline engines, but can produce higher levels of nitrogen oxides and particulates without proper emission controls. Substantial regulatory and technological efforts, including exhaust treatment and cleaner blends, aim to reduce these emissions.

Taxation and distribution often differentiate gasóleo for road use from off-road or heating variants. In several countries, non-road fuels are dyed red or otherwise labeled to indicate different tax treatment and permissible applications.

Safety and handling require care: gasóleo is flammable and can be hazardous to health if misused. It should be stored in approved containers and tanks, away from heat and ignition sources, with proper containment to prevent spills.