In which year was China III implemented?
2 Answers
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.
