How to Determine a Vehicle's National Emission Standard?
3 Answers
To determine a vehicle's national emission standard, you can follow these methods: 1. Check the vehicle's factory certificate; 2. Review the vehicle's environmental standard list; 3. Examine the vehicle conformity certificate. Vehicle emission standards refer to regulations on the permissible levels of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and soot. Currently, vehicle emission standards are categorized as: 1. National Phase I Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 2. National Phase VI Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 3. National Phase III Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 4. National Phase IV Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 5. National Phase V Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 6. National Phase VI Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard.
I remember wanting to check a car's emission standard to see which national level it complies with, and there are quite a few practical methods. The most straightforward way is to look at the vehicle's conformity certificate or the environmental information list that comes with the car. These are usually tucked inside the owner's manual or stuck on the car window, clearly stating 'China V' or 'China VI'. Another method is to use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check online, such as on the National Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Information Inquiry Platform. Just enter the license plate number or digits, and the results will pop up. Additionally, when buying a car, you can ask the dealer, as they all have these records. My previous car was China IV, and because of that, I suffered during traffic restrictions in big cities. Now, when buying a new car, I prioritize China VI because the higher the emission standard, the more environmentally friendly it is, and it also avoids registration hassles. During routine maintenance, remember that the emission standard affects the replacement of parts—don't wait until the annual inspection reveals problems to regret it.
I think it's super important to clarify the emission standards before buying a car. My experience is to first go to the National Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection website or app, enter the license plate number and model, and get the report in just one minute—it saves time and hassle. If you can't find it, check the vehicle owner's certificate or sales contract, as it will be clearly stated there. Don't underestimate this, because cars like China VI (National 6) are not only greener but also hold their value better, making them easier to resell later. Last time I saw a used car that was China III (National 3), cheap but unable to enter the main urban areas, which really screwed over the buyer. So now when helping friends choose a car, I always emphasize checking the emissions first to avoid future headaches. Developing this habit can save a lot of trouble.
