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The researchers from (DTU) Delhi Technological University Environmental Engineering Department performed a case study in order to investigate the effect of various vehicle and engine-related independent variables on the smoke emission (SE) from diesel-powered cars in the country's capital.

The study lasted six months and looked at the registered 460 diesel-powered cars at different RTOs (Regional Transport Offices) in Delhi. The study collected information on vehicle-specific factors like age, mileage, application emission norm, maintenance category & engine-related factors, and smoke emissions. The cars were tested as part of the government-approved Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification process.

Dr. Rajeev Kumar Mishra, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Engineering, led the team. While explaining the research he stated that mileage and age were demonstrated to be the most recognized vehicular elements affecting tailpipe smoke emission from diesel cars. As the age and mileage of the diesel cars went up, the smoke emission too shot up enormously. On the other hand, the applicable emission norm, the car maintenance category, and engine aspiration were found to be other consequential parameters affecting smoke emission.

Dr. Rajeev added that the make-wise scenarios enhanced such findings for the top 5 diesel-driven car makers, Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Ford India, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai Motors, and Mahindra Motors. The discoveries of the research have been broadcasted in Springer’s Environmental Science. The research team discovered that, for the entire dataset (n = 460), diesel cars become non-compliant with BS-IV norms after approximately 7.5 years, while it takes them about nine years to become non-compliant with BS-III necessities.

The statement from Abhinav Pandey, Co-researcher, DTU, stated that the appropriate emission norms and maintenance category indicated that vehicles manufactured for Bharat Stage- IV (BS) and those containing very good and good maintenance records had lower smoke emissions compared to BS- III norm and diesel cars be associated to poor and unsatisfactory categories.