What is the difference between National 5 and National 6 emission standards?
4 Answers
The differences between National 5 and National 6 emission standards are as follows: Different emission standards: The National 6 emission standard is more than 30% stricter than National 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 National 5 standard was implemented nationwide on January 1, 2017, as the fifth stage of the national vehicle emission standard. National 6 has been implemented since July 1, 2019. Different principles: During the National 5 phase, diesel and gasoline vehicles had different emission standards, but National 6 adopts a fuel-neutral principle, meaning that regardless of the fuel type, the emission limits are the same. Different issuing departments: The National 5 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The National 6 standard was issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine. Different letter representations: National 5 is represented by "V"; National 6 is represented by "VI". Different monitoring requirements for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles: Compared to National 5, National 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. Different prices: National 6 vehicles are equipped with additional components compared to National 5. Additionally, automobile manufacturers incur extra costs from vehicle declaration announcements, various tests, and production, resulting in National 6 vehicle prices being significantly higher than National 5 vehicles. Different scrapping timelines: Although the country has abolished the scrapping time limit, older vehicles will be banned from the road, which is equivalent to scrapping. For example, a National 5 vehicle purchased in January 2019 and a National 6 vehicle purchased at the same time will both have a 15-year registration period, but their actual usage will differ. For instance, National 3 vehicles from 2010 and National 4 vehicles from the same year can still operate in Beijing. However, as more cities impose restrictions, many older vehicles are effectively scrapped. Therefore, even for vehicles from the same year, their usable lifespan may differ. National 5 standard limits are as follows: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 1,000 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven. National 6 has two standards: National 6a and National 6b. Their limits are as follows: National 6a standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 700 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 68 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 60 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 4.5 milligrams of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven. National 6b standard limits: Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 500 milligrams of carbon monoxide per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of non-methane hydrocarbons per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 35 milligrams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer driven. Gasoline vehicles must not emit more than 3 milligrams of PM (particulate matter) per kilometer driven. Affected by the National 6 emission policy, although National 5 vehicles currently do not impact normal usage and are not subject to driving restrictions or license plate limitations, their resale value will be significantly affected. For car owners, if they purchase a truck on loan for cargo transport, the vehicle's depreciation after repaying the loan is equivalent to the net profit earned during that period. A higher residual value means the owner earns more. Therefore, from this perspective, National 6 vehicles, which have a longer usable lifespan and more road rights, offer greater advantages.
China 5 and China 6 are two generations of China's emission standards, with China 6 being more stringent. I always feel that pollution affects everyone. China 5 limits basic pollutants like nitrogen oxides, but China 6 further tightens these limits, such as monitoring the number of particulate matter, which is about 20% stricter than China 5. This means fewer harmful substances in vehicle exhaust, helping to reduce smog and health issues. In our daily lives, we can already feel the improvement in air quality, especially in big cities. With the upgrade in standards, automakers also have to adopt new engine technologies, such as high-efficiency catalytic converters. Though these changes may not be obvious, they bring significant long-term benefits to environmental protection. Anyway, driving a China 6-compliant car feels more eco-friendly—with fewer emissions and cleaner air, we can all breathe more comfortably. These small changes add up to make a big difference.
From a technical perspective, China's Stage 6 emission standards are significantly more advanced than Stage 5. I've studied the details - Stage 6 adopts the WLTC test cycle, replacing the outdated NEDC, which better reflects real-world driving conditions. The key improvement lies in the more sensitive OBD system that can monitor particulate count and other data in real-time, triggering alerts when issues arise, unlike the crude monitoring in Stage 5. Engine calibration has also evolved, with upgraded after-treatment systems and more efficient three-way catalytic converters that reduce pollutants while potentially improving fuel efficiency. Vehicle designs have become more complex, leading to higher initial costs, but offering better long-term fuel economy. However, more attention is needed for OBD false alarms during maintenance. This technological leap drives innovation - while ordinary drivers might not notice much difference, it represents substantial progress for the entire automotive industry.
I usually drive to and from work and am concerned about the differences between China 5 and China 6 standards, explained simply. The China 5 era already had strict exhaust emission controls, but China 6 is even stricter, particularly with the addition of particulate matter quantity monitoring. In practice, driving a China 6-compliant car doesn't feel much different, though fuel consumption might be slightly better. However, extra caution is needed during maintenance—the OBD system is far more sensitive than in China 5 vehicles; a single warning light means an immediate check-up, which can be a hassle. The standard upgrade means new cars must comply with these rules, undergoing more realistic tests, such as using new road condition simulations. I believe this change directly impacts emission quality, reducing urban pollution. Driving a China 6 car actually feels more reassuring since no one wants to breathe in extra exhaust fumes.
