Is China 6 Emission Standard Mandatory for Shanghai License Plates?
3 Answers
Currently, China 6 emission standard is mandatory for obtaining Shanghai license plates. Below is extended information about China 6: 1. What is China 6 standard? For light gasoline vehicles, carbon monoxide emissions must not exceed 0.5 grams, nitrogen-hydrogen compounds must not exceed 0.035 grams, and particulate matter emissions must not exceed 0.003 grams; while under 'Euro 6' standard: carbon monoxide emissions must not exceed 1 gram, nitrogen oxides must not exceed 0.06 grams, and particulate matter must not exceed 0.005 grams. 2. Impact of China 6 Once China 6 is implemented, vehicles meeting China 5 emission standards will no longer be eligible for registration or transfer. Starting from July 1, 2020, all domestic automobile manufacturers are prohibited from producing 'China 5' models, and imported vehicles must also meet the 'China 6' standard for customs clearance.
In Shanghai, it is indeed required that new vehicles must meet the China VI emission standards to be eligible for license plate registration. I enjoy keeping up with these policy changes, and as far as I know, Shanghai has strictly enforced the China VI-b standard for several years now. New vehicle registrations must comply with this standard before license plates can be issued. The primary goal is to control air pollution and reduce emissions of PM2.5 and toxic gases. If the new car you purchase does not meet the China VI standard, the vehicle management office will simply refuse to register it. You also need to be cautious when buying used cars—some China V vehicles can theoretically be transferred, but in practice, it's extremely difficult. Environmental regulations will only become stricter, so it's best to choose a China VI-compliant or pure electric vehicle right away. While the policy's intent is to protect public health, it sometimes costs car owners more money, but in the long run, it's worth it. Obtaining a Shanghai license plate through the lottery or auction is already challenging, and with this requirement, it's crucial to verify the emission certification before purchasing a car.
I recently helped a relative get a Shanghai license plate, and honestly, non-China 6 vehicles just don’t cut it. When registering a new car, the DMV system automatically checks emissions—if it doesn’t meet the standard, the application is directly rejected. I remember eyeing a used imported car that only met China 5 emissions, and several brokers said it couldn’t be processed. Shanghai is strict on environmental protection, with the government pushing the Blue Sky Initiative in recent years—China 6 vehicles can reduce tailpipe pollutants by 80%. Before buying a car, it’s best to confirm at the dealership that the emissions certificate is for China 6, and don’t cheap out on leftover inventory. A friend once bought a parallel-imported car that got stuck at this hurdle, losing the deposit. Under these policies, China 6 vehicles hold their value better in the used car market, which is generally good for consumers.
