Wellington- New Zealand is introducing an obligatory motor vehicle smoke test as part of a new range of actions to combat universal warning, the government announced on Tuesday. Any vehicle which produces smoke from the exhaust for five seconds or more would fail the obligatory annual or six monthly (depending on age) warrant of fitness examination necessary to be driven lawfully on the roads.

The new test to start in October is planned to reduce vehicle emissions estimated to kill nearly 400 New Zealanders every year and perk up air quality.

David Parker, the minister accountable for climate change policies, said properly tuned vehicles used less fuel and abridged greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warning.