How to distinguish between National V and National VI vehicles?

[CamilaFitz]

National V is denoted by V; National VI is denoted by VI. The specific differences are as follows: Different emission standards: The emission standards for National VI are more than 30% stricter than those for National V. Excluding the influence of driving conditions and testing, gasoline vehicles' carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by 50%, total hydrocarbons and non-methane hydrocarbons emissions are reduced by 50%, and nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by 42%; Different implementation times: The National V standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2017, as the fifth stage of national motor vehicle emission standards. National VI has been implemented since July 1, 2019; Different principles: During the National V stage, diesel and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but National VI adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning that regardless of the fuel type, the emission limits are the same. Different issuing departments: The National V standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the National VI standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Different letter representations: National V is represented by V; National VI is represented by VI. Different monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Compared to National V, National VI has improved monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including energy storage systems, thermal management systems, brake regeneration, drive motors, generators, and other regulations. National V standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1,000 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. National VI has two standards: National VIa and National VIb. The details are as follows: National VIa standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 700 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. National VIb standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 500 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 3 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. Affected by the National VI emission policy, although National V vehicles are not currently restricted from normal use, such as no driving bans or license plate restrictions, their resale value will be significantly impacted. For car owners, if they purchase a truck on loan for freight transport, the vehicle's depreciation after paying off 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, National VI vehicles, which have a longer service life and more road rights, offer greater advantages.

[WalkerFitz]

When buying a car now, I’m most concerned about the emission standards. The main differences between China 5 and China 6 vehicles lie in several aspects. The simplest way is to check the vehicle’s production date, as the China 6 standard was rolled out starting in 2019, so most new cars manufactured after 2020 are China 6 compliant. You can also check the vehicle registration certificate or license plate, which will clearly state the emission standard, such as China 5 or China 6. When I pick a car at a 4S store, I directly ask the salesperson to show the environmental label. If the label is unclear, I can also open the hood to check the nameplate, which usually indicates the engine model and related emission information. However, it’s worth noting that China 6 vehicles don’t show significant changes in performance, but they are more cost-effective in the long run because the higher emission standard means their resale value won’t drop too quickly in the future. These methods are simple and practical, saving me a lot of trouble.