How long will the China VI emission standards last?

[Vivian]

The China VI emission standards for vehicles will remain in effect for quite some time, with requirements divided into two phases: "China VIa" and "China VIb". 1. China VIa: This phase serves as a transitional period between "China V" and "China VI". China VIa was implemented for gas-powered vehicles on July 1, 2019, and for urban vehicles (such as city buses, sanitation trucks, postal vehicles, etc.) on July 1, 2020. It has now been applied to all vehicles. 2. China VIb: This is the true "China VI" standard, which will be fully implemented for all vehicles on July 1, 2023.

[Mike]

Most new cars on the road today must meet the China VI emission standards, which certainly won't be canceled in the short term. The China VI b standard has only been in effect for about two years, and the technical routes haven't been fully digested yet. According to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's plan, it will remain the mainstream standard at least until 2030. However, there are always people asking about China VII. It's heard that some automakers will conduct technical reserve tests by 2025, but full implementation is still at least five or six years away. Historical experience shows that phasing out China III took over a decade, and the oldest China VI vehicles are only five or six years old, so they can definitely be driven for at least another eight to ten years. What really needs to be worried about is the tightening of inspection standards, such as adding more exhaust emission test items or expanding the restricted areas for older vehicles.

[OAxel]

My regular customers often ask the same question: how long the China 6 emission standards will last depends on technological progress. Nowadays, domestic engine technology is advancing by leaps and bounds, and models equipped with GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) can already meet the China 6b standard. The emission level is locked at the factory from the start. From a regulatory perspective, policies won't change overnight. Taking Beijing's early implementation of China 6b as a reference, new policies usually have a three-year buffer period from announcement to full enforcement. Even if China 7 is introduced, automakers will need a two-year product adjustment cycle. At the most conservative estimate, your China 6-compliant vehicle will remain valid until at least 2030. With proper maintenance, it can still pass annual inspections even a decade later.

[VonBrooke]

Just checked the latest document from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the China VI standard will be implemented in phases until 2027. Currently, 95% of newly registered vehicles nationwide meet the China VI b emission standards, and testing station equipment is also configured according to the China VI standard. To fully upgrade to the China VII testing system, just the equipment update alone will take two years. More importantly, the technical transition period for automakers will be longer, especially for hybrid and pure electric vehicles. Personally, I believe policy stability will remain high in the next five years, so there's no need to worry if you bought a car last year. Instead, focus on local testing requirement changes, like Shenzhen's newly added real-driving emission monitoring program this year.

[VanLondon]

Based on cases seen in repair shops, there are still China III and China IV vehicles running on the roads. The China VI emission standard will remain effective for at least ten years, and the reason is quite practical: implementing new standards requires substantial hardware support. Gas stations need to upgrade fuel quality, repair shops must equip diagnostic computers, and vehicle management offices have to update inspection lines. The last upgrade from China V to China VI took three years just for fuel quality improvements, not to mention the current diversion of resources toward new energy vehicles. My experience suggests that any vehicle with a China VI label on its annual inspection sticker won’t have to worry about traffic restrictions until 2032. What you should really be concerned about is the health of your vehicle’s OBD system—excessive emissions often start with sensor failures.