What symbols represent China IV and China V standards?
3 Answers
China IV and China V standards are marked with Roman numeral symbols IV-4 and V-5 respectively. The following introduces these two emission standards: Introduction to China IV emission standard: Since May 1, 2018, the application for China III products has been discontinued, with only China IV product applications being accepted. After July 1, 2018, no China III vehicle models will be announced. When applying for China IV vehicle model announcements, new model specifications should be used to distinguish them from China III models. As the new standard already specifies technical routes, China IV models no longer provide separate recommended technical solutions, strictly following standard requirements. China V diesel vehicle emission standard: The use of new standard gasoline and diesel will reduce multiple pollutants, including PM2.5 emissions. From China IV to China V, environmental indicators have been further tightened, with sulfur content reduced from 50ppm to 10ppm, significantly improving fuel quality.
When it comes to the symbols China IV and China V, I often mention them while tinkering with cars. They are emission standard codes for motor vehicles set by China's Ministry of Environmental Protection, similar to tier ratings. China IV represents the fourth phase, mainly regulating the exhaust emissions of diesel and gasoline vehicles, limiting harmful substances like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. After upgrading to the fifth phase, China V became even stricter, requiring vehicle emissions to be reduced by nearly half. Especially in big cities, China V vehicles have more flexibility to enter restricted zones. When helping friends buy cars, I always check the new car manual—GB18352.5-2013 is the code for China V, while older cars with China IV might face transfer restrictions. From a technical perspective, upgrading to this level requires automakers to install urea systems or DPF filters, which increases costs but improves fuel efficiency over long distances and reduces sources of smog. Although China VI is now widespread, China V vehicles still hold their value well in the used car market.
National IV and National V may sound like codes, but they are actually quite important in daily driving. These symbols represent the vehicle's environmental emission standards, which are classified by the national regulatory levels. My car meets the National V standard, so driving into the city is much more worry-free, with no concerns about license plate restrictions. National IV became widespread in the 2010s, and after National V was rolled out in 2017, emissions were further reduced, with pollutants like carbon monoxide decreasing by over 20%. When buying a car, don’t just look at the price—check the identifier on the vehicle certificate. National V represents a higher environmental score and lower maintenance costs. If an older car only meets the National IV standard, it might fail the annual inspection, requiring part upgrades or even a new car, which adds to living expenses. From a policy perspective, the Environmental Protection Agency uses these standards to control air pollution, and the improved air quality in big cities relies on such strict regulations. In short, when driving, pay attention to the vehicle’s age and prioritize National V or newer standards for safety.
