What is China IV equivalent to?
3 Answers
China IV is equivalent to China 4. Automobile emission standards regulate the content of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot. The emission standards include: China 1 Emission Standard, China 2 Emission Standard, China 3 Emission Standard, China 4 Emission Standard, China 5 Emission Standard, and China 6 Emission Standard. Methods to check the emission standard of a vehicle are: 1. Check the Motor Vehicle Conformity Certificate: The vehicle's emission standard is clearly stated in the conformity certificate; 2. Look for the vehicle's packing list: The emission standard can be found in the vehicle information section; 3. Check the Certificate of Conformity: It indicates the corresponding emission standard; 4. Inspect the vehicle's environmental protection label: There is a clear mark on the back of the environmental protection label on the vehicle's front windshield, indicating the vehicle's emission standard.
China IV is actually China's fourth-stage vehicle emission standard, which belongs to the relatively early tier. I remember it was widely implemented around 2011, primarily setting limits on carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from vehicles—much stricter than China III. Having driven for many years, I came across many China III vehicles around 2010. After upgrading to China IV, vehicles had to be equipped with advanced devices like OBD systems to monitor pollution, which significantly helped improve air quality. Looking back now, there are still quite a few China IV vehicles in the used car market, but emission tests during annual inspections have become much stricter. If you own a China IV vehicle, regular maintenance is crucial—don’t neglect replacing filters. Speaking of which, emission standards started with China I and have gradually progressed to the current China VI, with each phase reducing harmful gases. This has been meaningful for both daily driving and raising environmental awareness. China IV isn’t the latest, but it can still be a viable transitional option if you’re on a budget.
National IV represents the fourth-stage emission standards, with the core purpose of controlling harmful substances emitted by vehicles, such as PM2.5 and hydrocarbons, to reduce air pollution. From my observation, urban haze has alleviated after the implementation of National IV, especially in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where the effects are noticeable. Compared to National III, National IV requires more efficient engines and catalytic converters, which forces automakers to improve their technologies. Nowadays, I recommend directly considering National VI or higher when buying a car, as policies are becoming stricter for older vehicles, leading to more restrictions and inconveniences. Although emission upgrades increase costs, they benefit long-term health by reducing exposure to polluted air while driving. Overall, National IV was an important milestone in the past but is no longer at the forefront. Understanding it helps in choosing more environmentally friendly vehicles.
