What are the differences between National 5 and National 6?
4 Answers
The differences between National 5 and National 6 are: 1. Different control levels: National 6 places more emphasis on the environmental pollution caused by vehicle exhaust compared to National 5. 2. Different release dates: National 5 was released on September 17, 2013; National 6 was released on June 22, 2018. 3. Different issuing departments: National 5 was issued by the environmental protection department; National 6 was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. 4. Different requirements: National 6 has the same emission standards; National 5 has different standards. 5. Different strictness: National 6 adopts the strictest values from National 5 emission requirements. National 6 improves gasoline quality, reduces pollutants and exhaust emissions, and is more environmentally friendly.
Last time I helped a friend buy a car, I also struggled with this issue. The difference between China 5 and China 6 emission standards is quite significant, mainly in stricter requirements for exhaust emissions from the tailpipe. China 6 vehicles must have an additional particulate filter installed in the exhaust pipe to capture those invisible carbon black particles. Gas stations also have to upgrade, and now many places mandate the sale of China 6-specific fuel. The most troublesome part is the new car dashboard—China 6 vehicles frequently trigger the emission fault light, which even experienced drivers find intimidating. Additionally, the precision of exhaust testing equipment during annual inspections has improved dramatically; older cars that could pass before now fail outright. Used car dealers know this best—the same model with a China 6 label costs at least 5,000 yuan more than a China 5 version and is easier to resell.
As a female car owner, my most direct feeling is that fuel prices have gone up. After the implementation of China VI standards, gas stations have all switched to more expensive clean gasoline, and filling up with 95-octane now costs over ten yuan more. The mechanics at the 4S shop mentioned that China VI vehicles have three key upgrades: the engine ECU has been recalibrated, an additional square-box-shaped particulate filter has been added to the exhaust pipe, and real-time monitoring sensors have been installed. As a result, maintenance costs have also increased. Previously, China V vehicles only needed carbon deposit cleaning every 30,000 kilometers, but now China VI vehicles require specialized equipment for particulate filter regeneration every 5,000 kilometers. The other day, my friend's China VI car had a yellow warning light, and the repair cost was more than three times higher than my China V car. Environmental protection is a good thing, but the pressure of car ownership has definitely increased.
From a technical parameter perspective, the China VI emission standard has nearly halved the toxic substances in exhaust gases. The carbon monoxide emission limit is reduced to one-third of China V levels, while nitrogen oxides are capped at just 30% of previous limits. The most stringent change is the particulate matter (PM) limit, which drops sharply from 0.0045g/km to 0.003g/km - equivalent to installing an N95 mask at the exhaust pipe. Automakers are forced to adopt high-pressure common rail 3.0 systems, with turbocharger vane angles becoming densely modified. The testing methodology has also undergone radical changes: where passing laboratory tests was sufficient before, now vehicles must be equipped with OBD real-time monitoring devices and accumulate 10,000 kilometers of real-world driving data to qualify.
