How to Distinguish Between China 5 and China 6 Emission Standards for Vehicles?

[DiJanelle]

To distinguish between China 5 and China 6 emission standards for vehicles, check the emission standard letters on the rear of the car. China 5 is denoted by 'V', while China 6 is denoted by 'VI'. The differences between the two are as follows: Different Emission Standards: China 6 emission standards are more than 30% stricter than China 5. Excluding the influence of driving conditions and testing, gasoline vehicles under China 6 must reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 50%, total hydrocarbons and non-methane hydrocarbons by 50%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by 42%. Different Implementation Times: The China 5 standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2017. China 6 was implemented on July 1, 2019. Different Principles: Under China 5, diesel and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but China 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning the emission limits are the same regardless of the fuel type. Different Issuing Authorities: The China 5 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, while the China 6 standard was jointly issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Different Letter Representations: China 5 is represented by 'V', while China 6 is represented by 'VI'. Different Monitoring Requirements for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Compared to China 5, China 6 has enhanced monitoring requirements for PHEVs, including energy storage systems, thermal management systems, brake regeneration, drive motors, generators, and other regulatory aspects. China 5 Emission Limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1,000 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Non-methane hydrocarbons must not exceed 68 mg/km, nitrogen oxides must not exceed 60 mg/km, and PM (particulate matter) must not exceed 4.5 mg/km. China 6 has two sub-standards: China 6a and China 6b, as follows: China 6a Emission Limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 700 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Non-methane hydrocarbons must not exceed 68 mg/km, nitrogen oxides must not exceed 60 mg/km, and PM must not exceed 4.5 mg/km. China 6b Emission Limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 500 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Non-methane hydrocarbons must not exceed 35 mg/km, nitrogen oxides must not exceed 35 mg/km, and PM must not exceed 3 mg/km. Affected by the China 6 emission policy, although China 5 vehicles can still be used normally without travel restrictions or license plate limitations, their resale value will be significantly impacted. For car owners, if they purchase a truck for freight transport with a loan, the depreciation of the vehicle after repaying the loan is equivalent to the net profit earned during that period. A higher residual value means more profit for the owner. Therefore, from this perspective, China 6 vehicles, with longer service life and more road rights, offer greater advantages.

[CarmenDella]

I remember the easiest way to check a car's emission standard is to look at the accompanying documents, such as the environmental label or the certificate of conformity, which will clearly state whether it's China V or China VI. China V is marked as V, and China VI as VI. Nowadays, many people in the used car market tamper with these labels, so it's essential to verify the information on the vehicle registration certificate. If the documents are incomplete, you can visit a 4S shop or use the official app to enter the VIN for a query—many platforms will display the emission level immediately. When driving, I've noticed that China VI cars have a VI badge on the rear, but don't just rely on appearances—the actual impact is significant. China V cars face more restrictions in cities, so make sure to confirm before buying to avoid being stuck at highway checkpoints. When checking yourself, be extra cautious—don't take verbal assurances at face value. Only written evidence is reliable, and this way, you can drive with greater peace of mind.