Can a China 5 vehicle be upgraded to China 6?
2 Answers
China 5 emission standard vehicles cannot be upgraded to China 6. The new emission standards significantly tighten the emission limits for pollutants, add control requirements for pollutants during refueling, and include testing requirements for hybrid electric vehicles. You can determine the emission standard of a vehicle through the following methods: 1. Check the vehicle's environmental protection label, which has clear markings on the back. 2. Query on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection website. 3. Take the vehicle registration certificate (original or copy) to the vehicle management office for inquiry. 4. Make a rough distinction based on the year the vehicle was registered.
Let's talk about upgrading National 5 vehicles to National 6 standards. I've studied many cases on this. Technically, such upgrades are basically impractical because the National 6 standards impose extremely high requirements on emission control, involving comprehensive modifications to the engine control unit, three-way catalytic converter, and exhaust treatment system—it's not something that can be achieved by simply replacing a few parts. Cost-wise, the modification expenses often run into tens of thousands of yuan, and the results may still fail to meet the standards. From a regulatory perspective, a vehicle's emission level is fixed upon manufacture and cannot be changed through upgrades after certification; even if you force the modifications, the vehicle management office won't recognize it as a National 6 vehicle. I recommend that owners not bother with this and instead consider trading in for a new National 6-compliant vehicle, which is both cost-effective and safer. In daily driving, maintaining good upkeep of the original vehicle and regularly inspecting the exhaust system can better reduce pollution, protect the environment and personal health, and overall be more economical and practical.
