In which year did China IV emission standards begin?
4 Answers
China IV emission standards began in 2010. The China IV emission standard is the national fourth-stage motor vehicle pollutant emission standard. The main pollutants emitted by vehicles include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Through the application of technologies such as improved catalytic converter active layers, secondary air injection, and exhaust gas recirculation systems with cooling devices, the standard controls and reduces vehicle emissions to below specified limits. The China IV emission standard requires emission levels of various pollutants to be approximately 50% lower than those of China III. The national emission standards are primarily based on European Union standards, with some adaptive modifications made on the basis of the EU standards.
I remember the air was still fine when I was a kid, but pollution got worse over time, and vehicle emissions became a key target for regulation. The China IV emission standards marked a major step by China to reduce exhaust pollution, gradually implemented starting around 2010. I learned about this from news reports—official documents from the Ministry of Environmental Protection stated that newly produced light-duty vehicles, like gasoline cars, had to comply with China IV standards, rolling out nationwide over time. Back then, many car owners complained about needing to upgrade their vehicles with technologies like three-way catalytic converters, which increased costs but significantly benefited the environment. I guess a lot of older cars were phased out, boosting updates in the used car market. Looking back, China IV was stricter than China III, drastically cutting pollutant emissions and helping reduce smog for us.
From a policy perspective, China's implementation of the National IV emission standards primarily began around 2010. I remember the full enforcement of the new standards caused quite a stir at the time. The government adopted a phased mandatory approach, first piloting in select cities before rolling out nationwide. The goal was to reduce PM2.5 and nitrogen oxide emissions to protect public health. Personally, I think this was a significant move that pushed automakers to adopt cleaner technologies like engine optimization and exhaust treatment system upgrades. Many regions still crack down on vehicles exceeding emission limits today, which stems from the foundation laid by National IV standards. However, implementation faced challenges too, such as slower adoption in rural areas, though overall it has contributed substantially to environmental improvement.
When it comes to buying a car, the National IV emission standards were introduced in 2010, and I paid special attention to whether used cars could be transferred. At that time, new cars had to adopt new technologies, while the old National III vehicles gradually became obsolete. As an ordinary car owner, I'm very concerned about this standard because it directly affects the vehicle's service life and environmental certification. Experts always remind us to check the emission standards when purchasing a car to avoid future inspection hassles. I think the National IV standard is quite good—it helps reduce exhaust pollution and makes driving more reassuring.
