How much longer can National III standard vehicles be driven?
2 Answers
National III emission standard vehicles may only be allowed to operate for 2 more years. There is no precise timeline as regulations vary by region. Introduction to National III standard: The National III standard represents China's third-stage vehicle emission requirements, equivalent to the Euro III emission standards in terms of tailpipe pollutant levels. The key difference is that new vehicles must be equipped with an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system. This system features increased monitoring points and enhanced detection capabilities, with oxygen sensors installed at both the inlet and outlet of the three-way catalytic converter. Through real-time emission monitoring, compliance is strictly controlled, ensuring better enforcement of Euro III emission standards. Latest policy on National III vehicle retirement: Under current domestic policies, there is no mandatory retirement timeline for private passenger vehicles, only a recommended retirement guideline after reaching 600,000 kilometers. For light trucks and batch vehicles, the mandatory retirement period is 10 years, extendable up to 5 additional years. National III heavy trucks have a maximum mandatory retirement period of 15 years. Even if there are plans to phase out National III vehicles, this would likely occur after the full implementation of National VI standards, which isn't expected until 2023. Therefore, there remains ample time before National III vehicles face retirement deadlines.
I'm quite concerned about environmental protection. Vehicles meeting the China III emission standards are quite polluting, and now many major cities have started restricting them. For example, in places like Beijing and Shanghai, trucks are basically not allowed into urban areas, and private cars are facing the same trend. The policy states that old vehicles will be gradually phased out to improve air quality. Under the 2030 carbon peak target, the acceleration of actions is quite evident. In our community discussions, car owners often say they can still drive for a few more years but not beyond 2030, especially in suburbs or smaller cities where they might last longer. However, driving into the city requires caution to avoid fines. Personally, I suggest considering switching to an electric vehicle or a new China VI-compliant car sooner rather than later. Economically, it can save some fuel costs, and it's also more environmentally friendly, avoiding last-minute panic.
