What is the difference between China 6 and China 5?

[CarlosRose]

The differences between China 5 and China 6 emission standards are as follows: Different emission standards: China 6 emission standards are more than 30% stricter than China 5. Excluding the influence of working conditions and testing, gasoline vehicles' carbon monoxide emissions are reduced by 50%, total hydrocarbons and non-methane hydrocarbons emissions are reduced by 50%, and nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced by 42%. Different implementation times: The China 5 standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2017, as the fifth stage of national motor vehicle emission standards. China 6 was implemented from July 1, 2019. Different principles: In the China 5 stage, diesel vehicles and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but China 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning that regardless of the fuel type, the emission limits are the same. Different issuing departments: The China 5 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the China 6 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Different letter representations: China 5 is represented by 'V'; China 6 is represented by 'VI'. Different monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Compared to China 5, China 6 has improved monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, including energy storage systems, thermal management systems, brake regeneration, drive motors, generators, and other regulations. The China 5 standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 1,000 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. China 6 has two standards: China 6a and China 6b, as follows: China 6a standard limits: Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 700 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. China 6b standard limits: Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 500 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 35 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 35 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles cannot emit more than 3 milligrams of PM fine particles per kilometer driven. Affected by the China 6 emission policy, although China 5 vehicles are not currently restricted in normal use, with no driving or license plate restrictions, the resale value of the vehicles will be significantly impacted. For car owners, if they purchase a truck for freight transport with a loan, after repaying the loan, the vehicle's depreciation is equivalent to the net profit earned by the owner during that period. A higher residual value means the owner earns more. Therefore, from this perspective, China 6 vehicles, with longer service life and more road rights, have more advantages.

[CarmenRose]

The most obvious difference between China 6 and China 5 is the stricter emission standards. China 6 has significantly lower limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter compared to China 5, equivalent to roughly a 50% reduction. I specifically researched this when buying a car. Although China 6 vehicles are slightly more expensive, they are more environmentally friendly in the long run because they are equipped with technologies like particulate filters, which can filter more exhaust gases. Nowadays, new car registrations are basically mandatory for China 6, while China 5 vehicles can only circulate in the used car market. In the future, some cities may even restrict older vehicles, affecting daily commutes. Personally, I think young people should opt directly for China 6 when buying a car—it has higher resale value and offers more peace of mind, especially in big cities with severe air pollution. This upgrade genuinely benefits health. Moreover, as policies push for new energy vehicles, China 6 seems more like a transitional standard, but at this stage, it is undoubtedly the more advanced choice.