Differences Between China National Standard V and VI for Vehicles
2 Answers
China National Standard V and VI differ in their emission standards, with Standard VI being more stringent. Below are the key differences between China National Standard V and VI: 1. Different emission limits: "China 6a" serves as a transitional phase between "China 5" and "China 6". The emission limits for "China 6 Standard" are approximately 40% to 50% stricter than those for "China 5". 2. Price difference: The additional costs incurred by automakers in testing and production for compliance with the new standard result in significantly higher prices for China 6 vehicles compared to China 5 vehicles. 3. Different decommissioning timelines: Although the vehicle registration period is 15 years for both, there are practical differences in actual usage.
From my decade-long experience of driving private cars, the differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards mainly lie in the emission criteria and practical impacts. China 6 is an upgraded version of China 5, with stricter requirements—for example, the nitrogen oxide emission limit under China 6 is nearly half that of China 5. It also introduces a new testing method called WLTC, which simulates real driving scenarios to reduce the possibility of cheating. After switching to a China 6-compliant car, I noticed a significant reduction in exhaust odor, and urban smog has improved somewhat. However, the new car costs a few thousand yuan more, though maintenance expenses remain similar. When buying a car, I directly opted for China 6 because many cities like Beijing and Shanghai now restrict the sale of new China 5 vehicles, and second-hand China 5 cars depreciate faster, leading to greater losses when reselling. It’s also important to note regional policy differences—some provinces implemented China 6 ahead of schedule, so choosing a China 6 car avoids future hassles. Additionally, China 6 is compatible with higher-grade fuel, making it more environmentally friendly in the long run and potentially saving some fuel costs.
