Exhaust fumes

Motor Vehicle exhaust fumes are a major source of a number of important air pollutants and when associated with poor vehicle maintenance, can increase the problem.

Excessive smoke and pollutants from vehicle exhausts are normally caused by inadequate vehicle maintenance. This can result in incomplete combustion in the engine leading to an increase in pollutants.

Besides affecting our health, air pollution also defaces masonry on buildings, causes acid rain, produces smoke and odour which is offensive and damages plant life.

What should you be looking for?

You should be looking for a discolouration within the vehicles exhaust. Please be aware that diesel engines emit darker emissions than other vehicles. Any vehicle giving out excessive amounts of dark/black smoke should be reported as it shows that the vehicle is burning excess fuel and simple maintenance may be needed.

If there is a blue tinge to the cloud, this indicates that the vehicle is burning oil or a simple adjustment is required.

How you can report a smoky vehicle?

We will need certain information if you want to report a suspected smoky vehicle. It is not possible to follow up any report without the details below:

• the vehicle registration number
• the type of vehicle
• the date, time and place where you saw the vehicle
• the colour/description of the emission

You will also have to give your own name and address to help minimise malicious reports. This will then be kept in confidence.

What action will be taken?

Upon receiving a report, ownership details will be requested from DVLC. Then we will:

• Domestic vehicles - write to the owner of the vehicle telling them that they have been reported and suggesting that they have their vehicle checked. Vehicles reported to us more than once will be reported to the police.
• Commercial vehicles - details of any commercial vehicle will be passed to the vehicle inspectorate enforcement group. Appropriate action will then be taken. All operators are subject to licensing and must have proper arrangements for vehicle maintenance.
• Taxis - taxis are licensed by the City Council and details of any taxis reported will be passed to the licensing department for action.
• Buses - Plymouth CityBus has already committed itself to taking action if any of its buses are reported. Other bus and coach companies that are reported will be contacted and if necessary reported to Department of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This is a voluntary scheme that will benefit the environment and additionally save the vehicle owners money, by using a vehicle that is running efficiently and economically.

What can you do to help?

Everybody should take action to help minimise pollution. This includes:

• trying to use alternative modes of transport
• making sure your vehicle is regularly maintained
• spotting and reporting of smoky vehicles

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