When is the implementation date of the new National 6 emission standard?
2 Answers
The National 6 emission standard for vehicles will be officially implemented on July 1, 2023. The National 6 standard is divided into two phases, a and b. Starting from July 1, 2019, all light-duty vehicles sold and registered must comply with National 6. The requirements for phases a and b are as follows: 1. Phase a requirement: By July 1, 2023 at the latest, all light-duty vehicles sold and registered must comply with National 6. 2. Phase b limit requirement: This means that National 6a can only be considered a transitional phase, while National 6b is the true National 6 phase. Note: Currently, some regions have implemented the National 6 emission standard ahead of schedule. For example, Guangzhou implemented the National 6 emission standard for light-duty gasoline and diesel vehicles starting from March 1, 2019; Shenzhen required light-duty diesel vehicles to comply with the National 6 standard from July 1, 2018, and light-duty gasoline vehicles to comply with the National 6 standard from July 1, 2019.
I have been following automotive environmental policies. The China 6 emission standards officially implemented nationwide requirements for new light-duty gasoline vehicle registrations on July 1, 2020, marking the beginning of the China 6a phase. On July 1, 2023, the standards were upgraded to the more stringent China 6b. After implementation, emissions dropped significantly—for example, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter were reduced by over 30%. Testing adopted the new WLTC method to simulate real-world driving conditions. Some major cities like Beijing piloted China 6b ahead of schedule in 2019. These standards have driven automakers to innovate engine technologies and also impacted used car market valuations—when buying a car, it's advisable to check if the production date is after 2020. In the long run, the environmental benefits are significant, representing a key step toward improving air quality.
