What are China III Vehicles?
3 Answers
China III vehicles refer to those that comply with the third-generation national emission standards. Generally, models produced between 2007 and 2010 fall under the China III category. Below is relevant information about the China III standard: Implementation period of China III emission standards: Starting from July 1, 2007, the China III standard was implemented nationwide. On July 1, 2010, the China IV standard was enforced across the country, after which new China III vehicles could no longer be registered. Currently, there are no national documents mandating the scrapping of China III vehicles. As long as they pass the annual inspection, they can be driven normally on the road. Methods to check vehicle emission standards: Query through the engine number or chassis number on the motor vehicle environmental protection website. Check the vehicle's conformity certificate, which clearly states the emission standard. Review the accompanying environmental protection list and vehicle conformity list, which also indicate the vehicle's emission standard.
China III vehicles are mainly identified by their registration year and environmental labels. Gasoline vehicles registered between 2006-2009 and diesel vehicles registered between 2008-2011 are generally classified as China III. The most accurate method is to check the environmental label - the small blue sticker on the top right corner of the windshield that reads 'China III' or 'China 3'. The registration date and vehicle model can also be found on the supplementary page of the vehicle license, which can be cross-referenced with the national emission standard implementation timeline. Nowadays, you can also check the emission level by entering the license plate number on environmental protection websites. For example, popular models like the 2008 Jetta or 2009 Wuling Zhiguang are mostly China III standard vehicles. Some cities like Beijing and Shanghai have already begun restricting China III diesel vehicles, so it's crucial to verify this information before purchasing used cars or undergoing annual inspections for older vehicles.
There are three practical ways to identify China III vehicles: First, check the emission standard column on the Vehicle Conformity Certificate—if it clearly states GB18352.3-2005, it’s a China III gasoline vehicle. Second, look at the engine model nameplate—engine models before 2008 generally comply with China III standards. Third, check the model catalog announcement date—light-duty vehicles announced after July 2006 are mostly China III. For example, older models like the Elantra and Excelle on the road, if manufactured between 2007 and 2010, are 90% likely to be China III. Many city environmental protection bureau websites now support searching emission levels by entering the VIN, which is more reliable than digging through old documents. If your vehicle fails the annual emissions test, it’s likely due to outdated emission standards.
