Identification of high emitting heavy duty vehicles using Plume Chasing: European case study for enforcement.
Our peer-reviewed paper is now published and freely available!
Read it here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179844
This is our publication and our technology — showcasing the real-world performance of our Plume Chasing measurement system, developed specifically for on-road emission detection of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs).
Our system was used in multiple European countries between 2016 and 2023, measuring nearly 5,000 HDVs for NOx, with solid particle number (PN) and black carbon (BC) emissions measured for over 1100 vehicles.
Key capabilities of our Plume Chasing solution:
Real-time, on-road emission measurements
Automatic classification of suspect and high emitters within seconds
Seamless support for on-site enforcement actions
Proven accuracy and reliability, confirmed through vehicle inspections by authorities
Proven impact:
In Czechia and Slovakia Plume Chasing flagged up to 41% of HDVs as high emitters.
Follow-up inspections revealed tampering, defects, or malfunctioning emission systems.
Just 4–14% of the worst vehicles cause over 50% of particle pollution in HDV fleets.
Countries with strong enforcement and regular use of our technology (like Denmark) showed dramatic improvements in fleet cleanliness.
The message is clear:
Our Plume Chasing system enables fast, efficient, and targeted emissions enforcement. Authorities can use the Airyx Plume Chasing system to act on data in real time — identifying the worst polluters on the spot, without the need for expensive lab testing or random stops.
We encourage environmental agencies, transport ministries, and enforcement bodies across Europe and beyond to implement this powerful tool. The technology is ready, proven, and making a measurable difference.