What is the difference between National 5 and National 6?
2 Answers
The differences between National 5 and National 6: 1. Different issuing departments: The National 5 emission standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection; the National 6 emission standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. 2. Different requirements: The emission standards for National 5 diesel and gasoline vehicles are different; National 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning the emission limits are the same regardless of the fuel type. Vehicle emission standards are national standards established to limit the production of harmful gases such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC plus NOx (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter, soot) emitted from vehicle exhaust.
China 5 and China 6 mainly differ in vehicle emission standards, which the government implements to control exhaust pollution. China 6 was introduced around 2019 and is significantly stricter than China 5. The limits for pollutants are much lower, with emissions like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides reduced by more than half. The testing methods also changed—previously using the NEDC cycle, while China 6 adopts the WLTC, which better reflects real-world driving conditions. Vehicles now require more complex systems, such as upgraded particulate filters and denitrification systems, aiming to improve air quality. In the long run, China 6 vehicles are designed with greater emphasis on environmental efficiency, potentially optimizing fuel consumption, though manufacturing costs are higher. As a car owner, I’ve noticed that air quality in big cities has indeed improved after the push for China 6, but when buying used cars, it’s important to check these standards to avoid future registration restrictions.
