What does China 5 and China 6 mean for motor vehicles?
2 Answers
China 5 and China 6 refer to the vehicle emission standards, which regulate the content of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, PM, and soot emitted from vehicle exhaust. The transition from China 5 to China 6 involves improvements in intake and exhaust efficiency, exhaust gas recirculation efficiency, and aims to reduce the levels of harmful gases. The China 6 emission standard is an upgraded version of the current China 5 standard, imposing stricter limits on the emission of CO (carbon monoxide), THC (total hydrocarbons), NMHC (non-methane hydrocarbons), NOX (nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter) compared to the China 5 standard. Additionally, it introduces new regulations on the emission of PN (particulate number).
For those who frequently drive in cities, China 5 and China 6 actually refer to the national vehicle emission standard stages, simply put, they control the level of tailpipe pollution. China 5 is the fifth stage, promoted around 2017, with relatively looser emission limits; China 6 is the sixth stage, much newer, implemented starting in 2019, divided into two sub-stages, China 6a and China 6b, with stricter requirements, significantly reducing pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. When buying a car, you need to pay attention to this difference—new models generally comply with China 6, while if you buy a used China 5 car, it might face restrictions like being banned from driving in some major cities or unable to get licensed. For example, I heard Shanghai only accepts China 6 vehicles for registration transfers. In the long run, China 6 cars are more environmentally friendly, helping improve air quality, benefiting our health, and the vehicles themselves are also more fuel-efficient. If you drive a China 6 car, daily maintenance doesn’t change much, but you’ll feel more at ease, avoiding policy-related hassles. Overall, understanding these standards helps us choose the right vehicle, adapt to environmental trends, and avoid unnecessary trouble.