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The total particulate emissions, particle mass and number/size distributions of two modern diesel vehicles, were measured during the ECE15+EUDC test cycle and constant speed tests at idle, 32, 50 and 120 km/h. One car was equipped with a standard direct injection rotary pump while the other was equipped with the common-rail technology. The emissions were tested with the cars running on a “standard” and on a “clean” sulphur-free, low aromatics and low density diesel fuel. It was seen that the common rail engine was emitting significantly less particle mass than the standard direct injection engine. The use of the clean fuel improved all emission but the CO2 and NOx. Finally, the use of Low-Pressure Impactors and of a Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer resulted in valuable information on the size distribution of particles emitted by the vehicles.

Particulate matter in the air has become the focus of increased attention due to the concern of potential health effects. Among other sources, automotive vehicles are seen as a major contributor of fine particles. At present there is limited information available relating either to the number or size distribution of automotive particle emissions and detailed evidence has still to be established. To develop an understanding in the area of automotive particulate emissions a programme was carried out concentrating on tailpipe emissions as measured at the regulated particulate sampling point in a dilution tunnel. A previous literature study by CONCAWE had identified analytical techniques considered to be suitable for this application and which are capable of measuring both mass and number size distributions. Several variations of these techniques are available in the research field and the programme aimed to assess and compare their operation and performance.