What do National 3 and National 4 vehicles mean?

[DeNaomi]

Here is the relevant introduction about National 3 and National 4 vehicle models: 1. National 3: The National 3 standard is China's third-phase vehicle emission standard, equivalent to the Euro 3 emission standard, meaning the content of tailpipe pollutants is equivalent to that of Euro 3. The difference is that new vehicles must be equipped with an OBD, or On-Board Diagnostics system. 2. National 4 standard: Implemented nationwide on July 1, 2010, the National 4 standard upgraded the post-emission treatment system compared to National 3, reducing pollutant emissions by 50% to 60% compared to National 3. 3. Differences: The biggest difference between National 4 and National 3 is the higher emission standard. With the improvement in emission standards, there will be some changes in price and performance. National 4 meets the emission standard by converting the traditional carburetor to an electronic injection system and upgrading the exhaust system.

[LeDominic]

I've been driving for over a decade and have seen many friends ask about China 3 and China 4 standards. Simply put, these refer to the national vehicle emission standards set by the government, with higher numbers indicating stricter requirements. The China 3 standard was implemented around 2007, and was upgraded to China 4 in 2011. These emission standards regulate pollutants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons emitted from vehicle exhaust pipes. The China 4 standard is much stricter than China 3 - for example, China 4 vehicles must emit no more than 1 gram of carbon monoxide per kilometer, while China 3 vehicles are allowed up to 2.3 grams. Nowadays, many major cities restrict China 3 vehicles from entering urban areas, and emissions testing during annual inspections is particularly stringent. Last year when I helped a friend look at used cars, we found that the same model with China 4 certification was about 10,000 yuan more expensive than the China 3 version, precisely because China 3 vehicles face restrictions in many areas. If you're considering changing cars, it's definitely better to go for China 5 or even China 6 compliant vehicles.

[LeKate]

I've been repairing cars for over a decade, dealing with emission standards every day. China III and China IV refer to the national motor vehicle pollutant emission standards issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, which are upgraded generation by generation like smartphone system updates. China III vehicles use relatively basic carburetors and three-way catalytic converters, while China IV vehicles began adopting more precise electronic fuel injection systems and added oxygen sensors for real-time exhaust monitoring. The difference is most noticeable during repairs - China IV vehicles produce significantly less black smoke. Under the new annual inspection regulations, China III vehicles often fail the emission test, and even multiple fuel additive treatments may not help them pass. I advise car owners to avoid driving China III vehicles within the second ring road, as many areas restrict them during rush hours, and getting caught means penalty points. My old Jetta was just scrapped this year and replaced with a new energy vehicle - much more worry-free to drive.

[OTheo]

We run a used car dealership, and explaining the National 3 and National 4 standards is a daily routine. Essentially, these are emission standard classifications - National 3 corresponds to yellow-label vehicles, while National 4 generally qualifies as green-label. The most practical difference lies in operating costs: less than 30% of National 3 vehicles pass annual emission tests, whereas about 90% of National 4 vehicles clear inspection. Currently, some urban core zones implement 24/7 bans on National 3 diesel vehicles, with increasing time restrictions on gasoline models too. When purchasing inventory, a 2008 Passat with National 4 certification typically commands ¥20,000 more than a 2007 National 3 version. Recently, we've noticed some owners installing OBD cheat devices to pass inspections - strongly advise against this, as fines start at ¥5,000 if caught.