What is the displacement limit for China 6?
3 Answers
China 6 limits the displacement to 1.5L. Below is an introduction to China 6: 1. Definition: China 6 vehicles are those that meet the requirements of the "Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Light-Duty Vehicles (China Phase 6)". 2. Implementation phases: The China 6 emission standard is implemented in two phases: Phase 1, starting from July 1, 2020, all vehicles sold and registered must comply with the China 6A standard; Phase 2, starting from July 1, 2023, all vehicles sold and registered must comply with the China 6B standard. Some cities may implement the China 6 emission standard for light-duty vehicles as early as January 1, 2019.
Actually, the China 6 emission standards do not directly limit engine displacement size. They primarily regulate the limits of pollutants in vehicle exhaust, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. All newly produced gasoline or diesel vehicles must meet the standards under specific tests, whether they have a 1.5-liter or 3.0-liter engine. A friend of mine who works at an automobile factory mentioned that car manufacturers are now adopting new technologies like turbocharging to make small-displacement engines more efficient, while large-displacement engines must also upgrade their catalytic converters to comply with the standards. Don't be misled by engine displacement when buying a car—the key is to check the emission certification label. Vehicles that don't meet China 6 standards can't be registered. This policy is pushing all vehicle models toward environmental protection, which is truly a good thing for the environment.
When I bought my car, I was also confused about the emission restrictions under China 6 standards. Later, I realized it doesn't cap engine displacement but sets strict rules on exhaust pollution. Even with a larger engine, vehicles can be sold as long as pollutant levels meet the standards. For example, my own SUV has a 2.0T displacement but still passed the China 6b certification—the key lies in how manufacturers tune the engine and install filtration systems. In daily driving, these details make the car more fuel-efficient and help reduce smog. I recommend checking emission standards first rather than focusing solely on displacement numbers when choosing a car. Since these standards were implemented, older vehicles on the streets have noticeably decreased, and air quality improvements are visible to the naked eye.
