What are the differences between China 6a and China 6b?
2 Answers
The differences between China 6a and China 6b are: 1. Different carbon monoxide emission standards: China 6a allows no more than 700mg of carbon monoxide emissions per kilometer; China 6b allows no more than 500mg per kilometer. 2. Different non-methane hydrocarbon emission standards: China 6a allows no more than 68mg of non-methane hydrocarbon emissions per kilometer; China 6b allows no more than 35mg per kilometer. 3. Different nitrogen oxide emission standards: China 6a allows no more than 60mg of nitrogen oxide emissions per kilometer; China 6b allows no more than 35mg per kilometer. 4. Different PM particulate matter emission standards: China 6a allows no more than 4.5mg of PM particulate matter per kilometer; China 6b allows no more than 3mg per kilometer.
As a young car enthusiast, I believe it's essential to understand the differences between China 6a and 6b before buying a car. China 6a, implemented since 2020 as a transitional standard, imposes stricter pollutant emissions than China 5 but isn't the most stringent. China 6b, rolled out nationwide from 2023, sets much higher requirements for exhaust emissions, such as significantly reduced limits for nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. While this has little impact on daily driving, it's more environmentally friendly in the long run. When purchasing a car, it's best to choose a China 6b-compliant model because they have higher resale value. Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen already require new cars to meet China 6b standards for registration, and China 6a cars depreciate faster in the used car market. Last time I picked a car, I specifically checked the nameplate to confirm it was China 6b, and I noticed the upgraded purification system reduced exhaust emissions without compromising fuel efficiency. With tightening environmental regulations, future standards like China 7 may be even stricter, so switching to China 6b early is a smart move.
