
Automotive IV refers to China's National Phase IV Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, abbreviated as "National IV Emission Standard" or simply "Guo IV Standard". The main pollutants emitted by vehicles include hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. Through the application of technologies such as improved catalytic converter active layers, secondary air injection, and exhaust gas recirculation systems with cooling devices, these standards aim to control and reduce vehicle emissions below specified limits. Compared to the National Phase III standard, the National IV standard requires approximately a 50% reduction in pollutant emissions for light-duty vehicles, a 30% reduction for heavy-duty vehicles, and an over 80% reduction in particulate matter emissions.

China IV is the National IV emission standard, which I'm very familiar with because my buddy's auto repair shop deals with these issues all the time. The National IV standard was implemented nationwide starting in 2010, with stricter requirements than National III, mainly targeting reductions in carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Now that National VI is widely adopted, National IV vehicles indeed face many restrictions. Some major cities don't allow National IV vehicles to be registered, and encountering environmental inspections on highways can be quite troublesome. If you're considering a , it's best to avoid National IV vehicles, especially in key regions like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and the Yangtze River Delta. However, they're still passable for commuting in smaller cities, though during annual inspections, you'll need to pay special attention to the three-way catalytic converter—if that's broken, the emissions won't meet the standard.

I've been in the business for ten years, and China IV refers to National 4 emission standard vehicles. These vehicles were mainly produced between 2010 and 2015, and the current market situation is quite complicated. Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen have long prohibited the transfer and registration of National 4 vehicles, while cities like Tianjin and Hangzhou started restricting their use last year. Used car dealers are offering very low prices for these vehicles, resulting in minimal profit margins. If you're considering buying one, pay attention to three key points: check if all the environmental labels are intact, verify that the emission standard on the registration certificate clearly states National 4, and most importantly, confirm whether local policies allow their operation. I recommend prioritizing National 5 vehicles—they might cost a few thousand more, but they're worry-free, and you won't have to constantly fear sudden driving bans.

In my hometown county, there are still 2008 National IV standard light trucks running. Actually, National IV vehicles are divided into diesel and gasoline types. Diesel National IV vehicles suffer the most, as they are already banned from entering many city centers. Gasoline vehicles can still operate, but they face strict scrutiny during inspections. Last month during my annual vehicle inspection, the exhaust emission test had to be repeated three times before passing. The technician said it was due to aging oxygen sensors. I recommend National IV vehicle owners clean their throttle bodies before summer each year, use high-quality engine oil, and have spark plugs checked every 30,000 kilometers. If you frequently drive in urban areas, remember to use 95-octane gasoline - it produces less carbon deposits and makes emissions more likely to meet standards.

The China IV emission standard marked a significant milestone in environmental governance. Back in 2005 when the technical specifications were released, I even participated in environmental protection seminars. The standard mandated a 42% reduction in hydrocarbon emissions and tightened particulate emission limits by 82%. Currently, there are over 30 million China IV-compliant vehicles nationwide, for approximately 18% of the total motor vehicle population. With the advancement of dual-carbon policies, emerging first-tier cities like Jinan and Zhengzhou will impose peak-hour traffic restrictions on China IV diesel vehicles starting next year. Vehicle owners are advised to regularly check the monthly Mobile Source Annual Report released by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, as it contains all policy updates.

My seven-year-old National IV SUV has given me a deep understanding of the rising costs. Now, blue smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe during cold starts, and the repair shop says it might be due to aging valve stem seals causing oil burning. The most critical issue is the drastic drop in residual value—a car bought for 150,000 yuan back then is now only worth 30,000 yuan. If you still own a National IV vehicle, I suggest focusing on three key aspects: oil consumption, the condition of the exhaust treatment system, and your local environmental regulations for the next three years. If possible, consider replacing it as soon as you can—currently, the subsidy for switching to a new energy vehicle can go up to 20,000 yuan.


