Is China VI Gasoline Ethanol Gasoline?
2 Answers
China VI gasoline is not necessarily ethanol gasoline; it could also be diesel or gasoline with other components. Here, it specifically refers to fuel products that meet the China VI emission standards. China VI refers to the emission standard, not a type of gasoline. It comprehensively considers the technical conditions of vehicles and imposes restrictions on tailpipe emission indicators, with fuel being just one factor affecting emissions. Ethanol gasoline refers to a new generation of clean and environmentally friendly vehicle fuel. It is produced by adding a certain proportion (currently set at 10% in China) of denatured fuel ethanol by volume to a specialized gasoline component oil that does not contain MTBE oxygen-containing additives. This mixture is prepared by designated ethanol gasoline blending centers according to the quality requirements of the national standard GB18351-2004 through specific processes. Ethanol gasoline cannot be directly added to the fuel tank; the fuel system needs to be cleaned by the vehicle owner beforehand. Ethanol gasoline is not suitable for all cars, as some vehicles may experience severe noise, vibration, or even abnormal sounds after using this new type of gasoline. Prolonged use could potentially lead to direct engine failure. Additionally, ethanol gasoline is less efficient than traditional gasoline, resulting in reduced vehicle power and increased fuel consumption.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, let me talk about China VI gasoline. It's not necessarily all ethanol-blended fuel. China VI refers to the sixth-stage national emission standard, which requires cleaner gasoline with lower pollution and reduced sulfur content. Ethanol-blended gasoline, on the other hand, is regular gasoline mixed with a certain proportion of ethanol (e.g., 10%) to reduce carbon emissions. Some provinces like Henan promote ethanol-blended gasoline as part of the China VI standard, but not all China VI gasoline contains ethanol—many regions still use pure unleaded gasoline. When refueling, check the label on the nozzle: if it says E10 or similar, it’s ethanol-blended. For regular car owners, ethanol-blended fuel might slightly reduce engine power or increase fuel consumption, but it’s not a major issue as long as you maintain your vehicle properly. I recommend choosing reputable gas stations to avoid low-quality fuel, protect your engine’s lifespan, and support environmental policies.
