Can China V Vehicles Not Be Driven in 2023?
3 Answers
National regulations only require that "from July 1, 2023, light-duty vehicles will mandatorily implement the China VI B emission standard." This means that vehicles not meeting the China VI B emission standard will not be allowed to be sold after 2023, but already sold China V models will not be affected. Therefore, China V vehicles can still be used normally in 2023. As for when restrictions on China V vehicles will be implemented, there is currently no related information, but it is expected that this time will not come so soon. Below is additional information: 1. From case studies: According to previous cases, first-tier cities like Beijing officially began restricting China II emission standard vehicles in 2017. However, the last batch of China II vehicles ended production in 2008, with a gap of nearly ten years in between. To this day, China II vehicles can still be driven in small cities and towns. 2. From the impact perspective: Judging by how "China V" affected the road use of "China I and China II" vehicles, the "China VI" emission standard should primarily impact "China III" vehicles. Therefore, road restrictions on "China V" vehicles would likely only come after the implementation of the "China VII" emission standard. So, even if a car owner buys a China V vehicle now, it can still be used for at least another ten years or more. However, most car owners in China do not use the same car continuously for ten years, so China V vehicle owners currently do not need to worry about road restrictions.
Last year, I bought a used National V SUV, and it ran without any major issues in 2023. The key lies in local policies: in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, non-local National V vehicles need a permit to enter urban areas, while local cars can still drive normally. Other cities like Chengdu or Hangzhou basically have no restrictions. I think it's best to check the local traffic department's app or make a phone call to inquire, to avoid fines. By the way, National V vehicles have lower emission standards than National VI, so they might face temporary road restrictions on heavily polluted days. If you're planning a long-distance trip, it's wise to plan your route in advance.
I've been driving a China 5 standard vehicle for several years, and it's perfectly fine for daily commuting in 2023. Although the China 6 standard is now mainstream, China 5 vehicles can still operate normally in most parts of the country, with only some areas like Shenzhen's environmental protection zones restricting non-local vehicles. It's recommended that owners perform regular maintenance to keep the emission system clean and reduce the risk of triggering restrictions. Additionally, sales of new China 5 vehicles have long been discontinued, but existing vehicles can still be driven for a long time. If concerned, owners can consult 4S stores about possible upgrade options, which can be done at a relatively low cost for added convenience.
