What do National V and National VI mean?
2 Answers
National V is China 5, and National VI is China 6. National V stands for the National Fifth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicle Pollutants, while National VI stands for the National Sixth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicle Pollutants. Both refer to the emission standards for vehicle exhaust. The emission control level of National V is equivalent to the European Stage 5 emission standard, imposing stricter limits on nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emitted by motor vehicles. From National I to National IV, each upgrade in the standard reduces vehicle pollution by 30% to 50%. The National VI emission standard improves upon National V by 40% to 50%, reaching a level comparable to that of the United States, making it one of the strictest emission standards globally. The National VI emission standard is implemented in two phases: National VIa and National VIb, with National VIb being even stricter than National VIa.
As someone who frequently deals with vehicle management offices, I find the National V and National VI standards quite important. National V refers to China's fifth-stage emission standards for motor vehicle pollutants, while National VI is the stricter sixth stage. The rollout of National V vehicles started in 2017, and after 2020, most new cars basically comply with National VI standards. The difference is substantial—just like upgrading a phone's operating system, National VI vehicles are equipped with more advanced exhaust treatment systems, reducing PM2.5 emissions by more than half compared to National V. Currently, some cities impose traffic restrictions where National V vehicles cannot enter urban areas, so buying a used car requires special attention to the emission label color. When I upgraded my car, I specifically chose a National VIb version, as it could fetch an extra ten thousand yuan when reselling later.