What are the differences between National V and National VI for trucks?
3 Answers
The differences between National V and National VI for trucks are: 1. Different emission limits; 2. Different prices: National VI vehicles are equipped with additional components compared to National V, and automobile manufacturers also incur extra costs from various tests for vehicle declaration and production, resulting in National VI vehicles being significantly more expensive than National V vehicles; 3. Different scrapping timelines. Additional information: 1. In regions like Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, etc., where National VI standards have not yet been implemented, National V vehicles can still be registered normally. After July 1, 2019, National V vehicles will mostly be unable to be registered in most parts of the country. If National VI standards have been implemented in your location, National V vehicles cannot be registered. If you want to purchase a National V vehicle, you need to determine based on the local real-time policies. 2. The national schedule for the first phase of National VI emission standards (National VI a) was originally set for July 1, 2020, but most regions in the country advanced it to July 1, 2019. It can be foreseen that for regions where National VI emission standards were not implemented on July 1, there is a possibility of advancing the implementation of National VI emission standards in the future.
When it comes to China V and China VI emission standards for trucks, having driven trucks for over a decade, I can clearly tell that China VI trucks have much cleaner emissions. The black smoke from the tailpipe is almost gone, making them more environmentally friendly and compliant with regulations. However, buying a new China VI truck costs 20,000 to 30,000 RMB more, which needs to be factored into the budget. Fuel consumption is slightly lower—China VI trucks are said to be more fuel-efficient, saving some money on long hauls. Maintenance is a bit more complicated, though, with the addition of a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) to trap particulate matter. If you frequently drive on dusty roads, it can get clogged and require professional cleaning, costing around 100 to 200 RMB per service. China V trucks are simpler to operate, but many cities now restrict their entry into urban areas. For example, my hometown has strict policies—if you delay upgrading your truck, you might have to stop operations. In the long run, China VI trucks hold their value better, while used China V trucks depreciate quickly, leading to potential losses if you make the wrong choice. If you own a China V truck, check your local policies immediately to avoid sudden restrictions.
After repairing heavy trucks for so many years, what's the difference between China VI and China V? The key lies in the upgraded emission system. China VI vehicles are equipped with more treatment components, such as particulate filters and enhanced EGR systems, reducing pollutants like nitrogen oxides by over 30%, resulting in much less exhaust when driving. However, the technology is more complex, with more components leading to more potential failure points. For instance, the DPF is prone to clogging and needs cleaning every few thousand kilometers, otherwise, the fault light will come on, and repairs can be costly. China V vehicles are simpler, with fewer subsystems to maintain, saving money and hassle. From a practical driving perspective, China VI vehicles are about 5% more fuel-efficient, which might offset some costs in the long run. Policy-wise, China VI is divided into phases 6a and 6b, and most new vehicles now must meet these standards. If buying used, be cautious about driving restrictions. Repairing China VI vehicles requires more specialized tools and time to learn new technologies.
