What are the differences between China 5 and China 6 vehicles?
2 Answers
The differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards are as follows: Different emission standards: The China 6 emission standard is more than 30% stricter than China 5. Excluding the impact 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 stage of the national motor vehicle emission standard. China 6 has been implemented since July 1, 2019. Different principles: During the China 5 phase, diesel and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but China 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning the emission limits are the same regardless of the fuel type. 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 regulations. Different prices: China 6 vehicles are equipped with more components than China 5 vehicles. Additionally, automobile manufacturers face additional costs from vehicle declaration tests and production, resulting in China 6 vehicles being significantly more expensive than China 5 vehicles. Different scrapping timelines: Although the national scrapping time limit has been abolished, older vehicles may be banned from the road, effectively rendering them scrapped. For example, a China 5 vehicle purchased in January 2019 and a China 6 vehicle purchased at the same time will both have a 15-year registration period, but their actual usage will differ. For instance, China 3 vehicles from 2010 and China 4 vehicles from the same year can still operate in Beijing, but as more cities impose restrictions, many older vehicles become effectively scrapped. Thus, even for vehicles from the same year, their usable lifespans may differ. China 5 standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1,000 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 mg of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 mg of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 mg of PM (particulate matter) 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 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 mg of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 mg of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 mg of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven. China 6b standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 500 mg of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 mg of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 mg of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 3 mg of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven. Affected by the China 6 emission policy, although China 5 vehicles currently do not face usage restrictions or bans, their resale value will be significantly impacted. For truck owners, if they purchase a truck on loan for freight transport, the vehicle's depreciation after paying off the loan is equivalent to the net profit earned during that period. A higher residual value means more profit for the owner. From this perspective, China 6 vehicles, with longer usable lifespans and more road access, offer greater advantages.
I remember driving my brother's China 5 standard car a few years ago and noticing a strong exhaust smell. Later, when I switched to a China 6 standard car myself, the overall experience improved significantly. The China 5 emission standards were relatively lenient, allowing higher levels of pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. In contrast, China 6 standards are much stricter, cutting these limits by more than half, resulting in cleaner air and no noticeable odd smells when driving. The China 6 standards require the installation of particulate filters specifically designed to tackle fine particles, which is highly effective in reducing smog during urban traffic jams. Technically, China 6 also employs more advanced real-time monitoring systems, with finer engine adjustments, making the drive smoother and even slightly improving fuel efficiency without increasing consumption. However, the new cars are a bit more expensive, and maintenance might be more complicated, such as the additional cost for replacing filters. Overall, upgrading to China 6 is beneficial and worth considering for both the environment and health.
