What does the National VI environmental standard mean?
3 Answers
National VI environmental standard refers to the National 4 emission standard, which regulates the content of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot. To curb the generation of harmful vehicle emissions and encourage manufacturers to improve their product technologies, many countries have established relevant automotive environmental emission standards. The widely adopted European standard is also a reference for China's vehicle emission standards, and based on this, China has introduced national standards that are more suitable for its own conditions. The European emission standards are implemented through the emission regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the emission directives of the European Community (EC), which is now the European Union (EU). The emission regulations are voluntarily recognized by the participating countries of the UNECE, while the emission directives are mandatory for the participating countries of the EC or EU.
Here's how I understand it: China VI is actually our country's latest automotive emission standard, officially named the National Sixth Stage Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Light-duty Vehicles. This is directly tied to our Blue Sky Protection Campaign. Starting in 2019, it was gradually implemented nationwide to force automakers to make vehicle emissions cleaner. For toxic gases like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, the China VI standard is nearly 50% stricter than the old China V standard, and engines must be equipped with particulate filters to capture PM2.5. Even the gasoline smell you notice at gas stations - China VI-compliant vehicles have improved sealing systems to reduce evaporation. Ultimately, this standard represents a mandatory environmental upgrade benchmark, and seeing this certification on new cars gives you confidence to drive them in major cities.
A friend from an automaker once told me that the China VI emission standards are like putting a gas mask on the engine. The key focus areas are three major components: the three-way catalytic converter must use expensive precious metals, a particulate filter needs to be installed in the exhaust pipe to trap soot, and even the fuel tank requires upgraded leak-proof designs. The funniest part is the testing method—it used to be done in a lab, but now real-world emissions are measured while driving, almost like roadside breathalyzer tests for drunk driving. Don’t underestimate these changes—automakers had to put in a lot of effort, and the R&D costs were passed on to new car prices. But the upside is genuinely cleaner exhaust—no more choking on fumes at traffic lights.
