What is the equivalent of Euro 5 in China's emission standards?
3 Answers
Euro 5 is equivalent to China's National 5 standard. China's automotive environmental protection standards are similar to European standards, with National 5 emission standards being equal to Euro 5 emission standards. The National 6 emission standard is slightly stricter than the Euro 6 standard. Compared to the National 4 standard, the National 5 standard reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 25% for light-duty vehicles and 43% for heavy-duty vehicles. Vehicle emission standards regulate the levels of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including CO (carbon monoxide), HC plus NOx (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter, soot). To curb the generation of these harmful gases and encourage automakers to improve their products to reduce emissions at the source, both Europe and the United States have established relevant automotive emission standards.
I used to wonder about this too, and after researching for a long time, I found out that Euro 5 is actually equivalent to China's National 5 emission standard. I remember when I bought a used car, I specifically checked this parameter, and the environmental sticker clearly stated National 5. The requirements for tailpipe pollutants under these two standards are very similar, such as the limits for harmful substances like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons being almost equally strict. However, most cities are now promoting National 6. While National 5 cars can still run without issues, they might face driving restrictions in the future. So, it's important to pay attention to the latest emission policies when choosing a car.
When I was choosing a car, I specifically researched emission standards. Euro 5 and China 5 are basically at the same level. They require very similar emission control technologies, such as the use of particulate filters or upgraded three-way catalytic converters. However, the implementation timelines varied across different cities in China. The China 5 standard was rolled out nationwide in 2017, while Europe's Euro 5 was implemented as early as 2009. If you're buying an imported used car, be sure to check the environmental label—the Euro 5 mark on the engine nameplate corresponds to the China 5 standard. Nowadays, most new cars in China comply with the China 6B standard, which imposes even stricter requirements on nitrogen oxides after the upgrade.
