How to Determine the Vehicle's Emission Standard Level?
4 Answers
Methods to determine the vehicle's emission standard level: 1. Check the environmental protection label on the vehicle, which has clear markings on the back. 2. Visit the website of the Motor Vehicle Exhaust Pollution Supervision and Management Center for inquiry. 3. Bring the vehicle registration certificate to the local vehicle management office for query. 4. For new vehicles, check the vehicle's factory certificate of conformity. 5. Make a rough estimation based on the year of vehicle registration. Additional information: The difference between China II and China III standards lies in displacement requirements, while core vehicle functions remain unchanged. The global upgrade to China III was proposed by the World Environmental Organization to achieve zero tailpipe emissions. This involves improving fuel injection quality to ensure better atomization and combustion, thereby reducing pollution.
To determine the vehicle's emission standard (National Standard), here are a few practical methods. First, check the environmental protection label on the vehicle, usually affixed to the upper right corner of the front windshield, which will indicate standards like National III or National IV. If there's no sticker, look up the 'Vehicle Model' section on the duplicate of the vehicle registration certificate, note down the alphanumeric combination, and search online for the corresponding emission standard of that model. Alternatively, simply call the 4S dealership and provide the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) to get the information. Another trick is to check the registration date: vehicles registered after 2008 are mostly National IV, those after 2014 are mostly National V, and those after 2017 are likely National VI. If you're still unsure, enter the license plate number or VIN on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website for a quick query—this is the most hassle-free method. With strict traffic restriction policies in some cities now, confirming the emission standard in advance can save a lot of trouble.
Actually, determining the emission standard isn't difficult. I usually rely on four methods. The most straightforward is to check the vehicle registration certificate (green book). Flip to the vehicle parameters page, and the emission standard is clearly stated in black and white. If the green book isn't handy, use your phone to look up the model's environmental protection disclosure information. Enter the specific model to find the filed data. New car owners can refer to the conformity certificate—the last few pages have clear markings. There's also a foolproof but accurate method: tailpipe testing! Take it to an inspection station where professional equipment measures the concentration of emissions. The carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide levels will indicate which standard it meets. I remember helping a friend inspect a used car this way last time. The inspector mentioned that checking the aging level of the catalytic converter can also help determine the standard.
Here's a three-step approach to figure it out. First, check the parameter page on the green vehicle registration certificate - the emission standard is clearly stated. If you don't have the document handy, note down the VIN (that 17-digit code at the bottom left of the windshield) and engine number, then call the dealership's customer service to verify. Second, check the registration year: pre-2007 vehicles are generally China II, 2007-2010 are China III, 2011-2014 are China IV, and vehicles from the past decade are mostly China V or above. Finally, use your phone to log into the 'Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection' public query platform - enter the details for instant results. After checking, remember to verify the vehicle model code as some imported cars may have different standards.
