Can Hebei Still License China V Vehicles?
3 Answers
Hebei cannot license China V vehicles. Below is relevant information about China V: 1. Definition: China's Fifth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, abbreviated as "China V Standard," has an emission control level equivalent to Europe's currently implemented Euro 5 emission standard. 2. Differences from China IV: Compared to the China IV standard, the new standard reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by 25% for light-duty vehicles and 43% for heavy-duty vehicles. Based on Shanghai's annual vehicle registration volume of approximately 350,000 units, it is estimated that annual new vehicles could reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by about 1,000 tons. Additionally, the domestic China V standard's emission control level is equivalent to Europe's currently implemented Euro 5 emission standard.
Hebei has indeed tightened the regulations on licensing China 5 vehicles. A friend at the Environmental Protection Bureau told me that as a key area for air pollution control, Hebei has been strictly enforcing the China 6 emission standards since last year. Both new and used vehicles transferred into the province must meet China 6 standards. I heard that a car owner who bought a used China 5 Land Cruiser Prado from another province tried to get a Hebei license plate, but the vehicle management office outright refused to process the paperwork. However, China 5 vehicles already registered within the province can still be transferred normally, and annual inspections proceed as usual. For those planning to change cars soon, it’s recommended to opt for green-plate electric vehicles—they’re hassle-free for licensing, exempt from purchase tax, and won’t face urban driving restrictions in the future.
As an experienced driver who often helps friends with car purchases, the registration of China 5 vehicles depends on specific circumstances. Currently, out-of-province China 5 vehicles definitely cannot be transferred to Hebei due to strict environmental regulations. However, local used China 5 vehicles can still be transferred to buyers within the same city. Just last week, I helped a neighbor complete the second-hand transfer registration for a Buick GL8—as long as the original owner had Hebei license plates, it was fine. But friends planning to buy new cars should give up, as dealerships now only sell China 6 vehicles, including parallel imports. If you really prefer a China 5 car, you might consider registering it in a province where China 6 standards aren’t yet enforced, but transferring it back to Hebei later would be difficult.
