What are the differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards?
2 Answers
The differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards are as follows: Different emission standards: China 6 emission standards are more than 30% stricter than China 5. Excluding the influence of working conditions and testing, gasoline vehicles' carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by 50%, total hydrocarbons and non-methane hydrocarbons emissions are reduced by 50%, and nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by 42%. Different implementation times: The China 5 standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2017, as the fifth phase of national motor vehicle emission standards. China 6 was implemented from July 1, 2019. Different principles: In the China 5 phase, diesel and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but China 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning that regardless of the fuel type, the emission limits are the same. Different issuing departments: The China 5 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the China 6 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Different letter representations: China 5 is represented by 'V'; China 6 is represented by 'VI'. Different monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Compared to China 5, China 6 has improved monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including energy storage systems, thermal management systems, brake regeneration, drive motors, generators, and other regulatory aspects. China 5 standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1000 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. China 6 has two standards: China 6a and China 6b, as follows: China 6a standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 700 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. China 6b standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 500 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 3 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. Affected by the China 6 emission policy, although China 5 vehicles are not currently restricted in normal use, without traffic or license plate restrictions, their resale value will be significantly impacted. For car owners, if they purchase a truck for hauling goods with a loan, after paying off the loan, the vehicle's depreciation is equivalent to the net profit earned by the owner during that period. A higher residual value means more profit for the owner. Therefore, from this perspective, China 6 vehicles, with longer service life and more road rights, have more advantages.
I'm discussing the differences between China 5 and China 6 standards from a technical perspective. The China 5 standard is relatively lenient, with a carbon monoxide emission limit around 1.0 grams per kilometer and nitrogen oxides at approximately 60 milligrams per kilometer. However, the China 6 standard is much stricter, especially in the China 6b phase, where carbon monoxide is reduced to below 0.5 grams and nitrogen oxides are cut to 35 milligrams—more than halved. Additionally, it introduces a particulate matter count limit and implements Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing, requiring vehicles to be tested for pollution under real driving conditions rather than just in lab settings. This forces automakers to install more advanced three-way catalytic converters or particulate filters, making new cars more expensive but sometimes more fuel-efficient. In the long run, reduced pollution means cleaner air, making it a worthwhile investment. Remember, after the full implementation of China 6b in 2020, China 5 vehicles were gradually phased out, so always check for the latest standards when buying a car.
