
China III vehicle emission standards were officially implemented on July 1, 2008, marking the "starting time" of China III. On July 1, 2013, China IV standards came into effect, prohibiting the registration of China III vehicles. To stably meet China III emission standards, vehicles must be equipped with technical measures that ensure pollutant emissions comply with China III standards, while using fuel that meets Euro III standards. Below is relevant information about China III vehicles: 1. The so-called China III standard refers to China's third-stage vehicle emission standard; 2. China's third-stage emission standard is equivalent to the Euro III emission standard, meaning the content of tailpipe pollutants is equivalent to Euro III levels, with the difference being that new vehicles must be equipped with an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system; 3. The characteristics of the OBD system include increased detection points and detection systems, with oxygen sensors installed at both the inlet and outlet of the three-way catalytic converter. Compliance is fully ensured through real-time monitoring of vehicle emissions, guaranteeing stricter enforcement of Euro III emission standards.

I remember the China III emission standards were implemented in 2007, which coincided with when I bought my car. As an ordinary daily driver, I felt the country had tightened emission requirements back then, with stricter limits on exhaust emissions—like significantly reduced carbon monoxide and particulate matter levels—which noticeably improved urban air quality. Before 2007, the China II standards were looser, and vehicles were more polluting. Nowadays, when chatting with my driving friends, we often mention that while China III cars are aging, they can still be usable if well-maintained, though some major cities have already started restricting their use. Knowing this timeline is quite helpful when choosing a used car, as it clarifies that vehicles over 12 years old may exceed standards. Overall, the China III standards introduced in 2007 drove China's automotive environmental progress and paved the way for subsequent China IV and V standards, marking significant environmental milestones.

Speaking of the year when China's National III emission standard was implemented, I recall 2007 marked its official launch. By then, I had been driving for several years and could clearly feel the difference. As an experienced driver, I remember how severe road pollution used to be before National III. After its implementation, exhaust emissions decreased noticeably, and the sky even appeared bluer. This standard primarily controls harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, pushing automakers to improve their technologies. Nowadays, when my son considers buying a used car, I always remind him to check if post-2007 models comply, as policies gradually phase out older vehicles. Knowing this 2007 benchmark helps avoid fines or driving restrictions—practical and reassuring. Simply put, this year was an environmental milestone with profound impacts on daily driving.

As an enthusiast of automotive technology, I learned that China III emission standards were introduced in 2007 during my research. They set stricter limits for pollutants like hydrocarbons in vehicle exhaust, representing an advancement over the previous China II standards. After implementation in 2007, all new vehicles were required to comply, spurring technological innovations such as improved catalytic converters. A revised version followed in 2008 before transitioning to China IV standards. Understanding this timeline helps with used car evaluations, as older vehicles may exceed emission limits. Simply put, 2007 marks the critical starting point of China III, reflecting a period of strengthened environmental policies.


