How to Identify Whether a Car Meets China 5 or China 6 Emission Standards?
2 Answers
There are several methods to determine whether a vehicle meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards. You can check the [Vehicle Factory Certificate], or refer to the [Vehicle Environmental Protection Standards List]. For used cars, you can query the vehicle's complete model number on the environmental protection website. More relevant information is as follows: 1. The carbon monoxide emission limit for China 5 standard gasoline vehicles is 1000 mg/km, while for China 6 standard, it is 700 mg/km. The China 5 emission standard is marked with a "V", and the China 6 emission standard is marked with a "Ⅵ", both using Roman numerals. 2. Compared to China 5, China 6 has improved the testing requirements for hybrid electric vehicles, including supervision of energy storage systems, thermal management systems, drive motors, generators, plug-in EES, etc.
When I usually check my car's emission standard (China IV, V, etc.), I first look at the environmental label sticker in the upper right corner of the windshield, which clearly states China V or China VI. If the sticker is missing or not affixed, I use a vehicle inspection app on my phone, enter the VIN (the 17-digit number at the bottom of the windshield), and the result pops up shortly. For example, my car was purchased in 2018, and the app shows it's China V, because the China VI standard wasn't mandatory in major cities like Beijing and Guangzhou until after 2019, with remote areas implementing it later. Additionally, the sales invoice or manual provided when buying the car records the emission level—just check those documents. If still uncertain, simply visit a certified repair shop and ask the experts; they can determine it through testing. Identifying this is crucial to avoid issues during annual inspections or urban driving restrictions. Last time I helped a friend buy a car, this method helped us avoid an older China IV model. In short, the process isn't hard—start with the sticker or mobile app.
