How Long Can National IV Vehicles Continue to Be Driven?
2 Answers
As long as the vehicle is in good condition, National IV vehicles can continue to be driven indefinitely. However, some cities may impose driving restrictions on National IV vehicles. China has clear regulations that do not set a mandatory retirement period for private passenger vehicles, only stipulating guided retirement after reaching 600,000 kilometers. Relevant information about vehicle emission standards is as follows: 1. Introduction: Vehicle emission standards refer to regulations on the content of harmful gases such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC+NOx (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter, soot) emitted from vehicle exhaust. 2. Implementation Status: Starting from January 1, 2004, Beijing upgraded its vehicle emission standards from Euro I to Euro II, and by 2008, officially implemented the Euro III standard.
To be honest, I also own a China IV emission standard car that I've been driving for seven or eight years. My biggest concern now is how long it can last. It mainly depends on policy changes, as standards vary across regions. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, China IV vehicles are already being restricted—some areas even ban them from entering within the second ring road. Vehicle inspections have also become stricter, and failing emissions tests could lead to scrapping. However, in smaller cities or rural areas with more lenient policies, it might still be fine to drive for another five or ten years. I recommend regularly checking the exhaust system and replacing the catalytic converter with a high-efficiency one to buy some time. The key is to keep an eye on local traffic authority announcements—don’t wait until restrictions hit to panic. After all, China IV vehicles won’t be phased out overnight but gradually replaced.
