How long has the China 5 standard been implemented?
2 Answers
The China 5 emission standard was implemented on January 1, 2017. The National Fifth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, referred to as the 'China 5 Standard,' prohibits the sale of vehicles with emissions below this standard. The emission control level of the China 5 Standard is equivalent to the European Union's currently implemented Stage 5 emission standard. Relevant information about the 'China 5 Standard' is as follows: 1. The European Union has been implementing this standard since 2009, imposing stricter limits on nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emitted by motor vehicles. 2. From China 1 to China 4, each upgrade in the standard reduces vehicle pollution by 30% to 50%. 3. Cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and some cities in Guangdong have already begun implementing the China 5 Standard. 4. Starting from April 1, 2016, all imported, sold, and registered light-duty gasoline vehicles, light-duty diesel passenger vehicles, and heavy-duty diesel vehicles (only for public transport, sanitation, and postal purposes) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region must comply with the 'China 5' emission standard.
I'm quite familiar with the China 5 standard. It refers to the fifth stage of vehicle emission standards, which was implemented nationwide starting from January 1, 2017. As someone who regularly reads automotive magazines and news, I remember many cities piloted it earlier—for instance, Beijing made it mandatory as early as 2016. This had a significant impact on car owners: new vehicles had to meet stricter requirements to reduce nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions, helping improve air quality. Older vehicles were gradually phased out, and China 4 or earlier models depreciated rapidly in the used car market. The policy forced automakers to upgrade technology, increasing production costs, but in the long run, it promoted greener mobility. After 2017, I paid extra attention to emission standards when buying cars to ensure smooth registration. By the way, the subsequent China 6 standard was upgraded in 2020, bringing major changes to the entire industry.
