How to Identify the Symbols for National Emission Standards?

[DiCody]

The method to identify the symbols for national emission standards is as follows: I1, II2, III3, IV4, V5, VI6. From National I to National VI, the emission standards vary at different stages. Under the new policy, vehicles meeting National IV standards and above can still legally operate on the road, while those below are only permitted in some cities. Currently, the latest National VI standard has seen significant upgrades compared to National V, hence it is divided into two phases: National VIa and National VIb. In the National VIb phase, most indicators are 50% stricter than National V standards. Implementing National VI can lead to a noticeable improvement of over 10% in urban air quality.

[CodyDella]

Last time I helped a friend check out a used car, I paid special attention to this. To identify the China emission standard (Guo Ji) of a vehicle, you mainly need to look at the vehicle's nameplate or environmental label, usually located on the passenger door frame or inside the engine compartment. From my experience, open the passenger door, and you'll find an aluminum plate at the bottom of the door frame indicating the vehicle's manufacturing year. Here's the key! Look for codes starting with GB, such as GB18352.5-2013. The number after the decimal point is crucial—5 represents China 5, and 6 is China 6. Currently, many cities restrict vehicles below China 4, so you must pay close attention to this number when buying used. The emission standard is also noted on the green registration certificate, and you can double-check it during the transfer process.

[VonIsabela]

With over a decade of car repair experience, here's a practical tip: The yellow label sticker on the top-left corner of the windshield is the most straightforward indicator—it directly displays the Roman numerals for China IV or China V emission standards. If the label is missing, don't panic; the engine model holds clues. China III vehicles often use EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) technology, China IV models come with OBD diagnostic ports, and China V vehicles typically feature DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) as standard equipment. You can also check the 8th digit of the VIN: 'C' usually indicates China III, 'E' corresponds to China IV, and 'G' or later generally means China V or above. If you spot a diesel vehicle with yellowish license plates on the road, it's most likely a pre-China III old-timer.

[Kenneth]

When choosing a car after getting my driver's license, I researched emission symbols and found three key points to check: the national standard number in the upper right corner of the Vehicle Conformity Certificate, the Chinese character emission level printed in the remarks column on the supplementary page of the vehicle registration certificate. The most practical method is to scan the VIN on the windshield using a public account to retrieve environmental protection data. Note that China I to China IV use Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV), while China V and later use Chinese numerals. China VI is divided into 6a and 6b, and starting next year, 6a will be considered the old standard. For imported vehicles, check the equivalent standard—for example, Euro IV is equivalent to China IV. Don't blindly trust the dealer's claims about the emission standard; always verify it yourself to be sure.

[DiPresley]

Just helped my cousin with the vehicle inspection at the DMV over the weekend, and the staff taught us a pro tip: check the third line of the environmental information vehicle list! It's printed in black on white, showing something like "China 6b phase". Gasoline and diesel vehicles are labeled differently; gasoline cars are marked with "GB 18352.6-2016", where the 6 indicates China 6. Although new energy vehicles are exempt from inspection, you still need to check the old standards recorded in the green book. If you can't find it, just remember this rhyme: for China 2, the 9th digit of the VIN is 1; for China 3, it's 2; for China 5, it's 3; and for China 6, it's 6. Make sure to check before driving into the city to avoid getting a ticket.

[AlyssaLynn]

After reviewing three vehicle manuals, I found that the identification techniques are actually simple: new cars with blue license plates have a round environmental protection label, with the National V standard being pure blue-edged, and the National VI standard changed to a blue-green gradient. For older cars, check the suffix of the engine model, such as the '4' in the common National IV '4G63', or the National V engine number with 'BN6'. For transferred vehicles, look at item 15 on the registration certificate, which is marked with mixed Chinese and English labels like 'National 4' or 'CHINA V'. The easiest method is to use the Traffic 12123 app to check the vehicle records, where the environmental protection level is clearly stated.