This study investigates the potential use of dimethyl carbonate (DMC), a green, non-toxic and low-reactive biofuel to enable partially premixed low temperature combustion (PPLTC) mode in a DI diesel engine. PPLTC is an intermediate combustion strategy between conventional diesel combustion and homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) combustion which provides sufficiently long ignition delay for fuel/air to pre-mix inside the cylinder and to eventually restrain harmful smoke and NOx emissions. The engine was fueled with 15% by vol. of DMC/diesel blend (DMC15) and the combustion, performance and emission characteristics were examined under high loads with charge-dilution and combustion-phasing controlled by employing EGR (0-30%) and adjusting the injection timing (25-21 degrees CA bTDC). Experimental results revealed that DMC15 exhibited better performance when the injection timing is advanced from 21 degrees to 25 degrees CA bTDC at the expense of emissions. Nevertheless DMC15 injected at 21 degrees CA bTDC under 30% EGR experienced longest ignition delay and lowest peaks in pressure and heat release rate (HRR) to achieve a maximum simultaneous reduction of NOx emissions ((sic)46.1%) and smoke opacity ((sic)64.7%) respectively with a small drop in performance ((sic)11.8%). Both total hydrocarbons (THC) and carbon-monoxide (CO) emissions increased at intensified EGR rates. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.