What are the differences between Euro 5 and China 6?

[OLevi]

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 stage of national motor vehicle emission standards. China 6 has been implemented since July 1, 2019. Different principles: During the China 5 stage, 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,' while 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. China 5 standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1,000 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, such as driving bans or license plate restrictions, their resale value will be significantly impacted. For truck owners, if they purchase a truck on loan for cargo transport, the depreciation of the vehicle 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. Therefore, from this perspective, China 6 vehicles with longer service life and more road rights have greater advantages.

[LeoDella]

When I last researched automotive emission standards, I noticed a significant gap between Euro 5 and China 6. The China 6 standard is currently one of the strictest vehicle emission standards globally, while Euro 5 is already a decade-old European standard. The main differences lie in pollutant limits: China 6 has tightened the limits for carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and non-methane hydrocarbons by 40%-50% or more. China 6 also introduces a new limit for particle number (PN), whereas Euro 5 only regulated particle mass (PM). China 6-compliant vehicles must be equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system to monitor emissions in real-time and trigger alerts if standards are exceeded. Additionally, China 6 adopts the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), which better reflects real-world driving conditions. Simply put, China 6 vehicles emit over 50% cleaner exhaust than Euro 5 vehicles, with much higher requirements for engine and exhaust treatment technologies.