
The China IV emission standard was implemented in 2011 and remained in effect until the introduction of the China V standard in 2018. Therefore, vehicles produced between 2011 and 2017 comply with the China IV standard. The China IV standard requires approximately 50% lower emissions of various pollutants compared to the China III standard. With the upcoming China VI standard, vehicles meeting the China III standard are now facing scrapping. Here is more information: 1. Different countries and regions adopt different emission standards based on their actual conditions. For example, the United States has U.S. standards, Europe has Euro standards (Euro IV, Euro V, etc.), and China has national standards (China IV, China V, etc.). 2. There are three main test cycles for passenger vehicle emissions: the EU's NEDC cycle, the U.S.'s FTP75 cycle, and Japan's JC08 cycle.

I've done quite a bit of research, and the implementation of the China IV emission standards actually happened in several phases. As early as 2010, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai took the lead in implementing China IV for light-duty gasoline vehicles. By July 1, 2011, all new light-duty gasoline vehicles nationwide were required to meet this standard. For diesel vehicles, it was two years later, not until July 2013 that the standard was fully implemented. When this was first introduced, both automakers and car owners found it quite challenging, as they had to readjust production lines and phase out older vehicles. I remember there was even a scandal about urea fraud in diesel vehicles back then, precisely because the emission standards became stricter. However, looking back now, the China IV standards have indeed been effective in reducing air pollution.

As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I remember that China IV gasoline vehicles were fully implemented in 2011. The funniest thing was that the market was in chaos at that time, with China III vehicles being heavily discounted but still hard to sell. Later in 2013, even diesel vehicles started adopting China IV standards, and the addition of urea tanks became a topic truck drivers complained about for years. The biggest change after this policy was implemented was in new car designs, especially the need to redesign three-way catalytic converters. At that time, my Santana 2000 was stuck at China III standards, so I had to reluctantly replace it. Nowadays, the second-hand prices of China IV vehicles remain relatively stable, but special attention must be paid during maintenance to use specialized parts for components like fuel injectors.

When studying vehicle policies, I noticed that the China IV emission standards were implemented in phases. Light-duty gasoline vehicles were fully implemented nationwide on July 1, 2011, while diesel vehicles were rolled out in two batches: heavy-duty vehicles in July 2013, and light-duty diesel vehicles not until 2015. At that time, major automakers rushed to upgrade ECUs and install OBD systems, and repair shops had to recertify their . The biggest headache was upgrading the inspection lines, with many old devices being scrapped directly. After implementation, PM2.5 emissions did drop by about 30%, but issues like oil dilution emerged, especially among owners in colder regions who frequently complained.

The implementation of China IV emission standards was quite intense. I had just entered the industry when the standards for gasoline vehicles took effect in July 2011. I remember 4S stores working overnight to retrofit DPF systems on inventory vehicles, passing the modification costs onto consumers. Diesel vehicles didn't comply until 2013, considering the difficulty in fuel quality upgrades - sulfur content in China IV diesel had to drop from 500ppm to 50ppm. This standard directly spurred the urea industry, but filling stations were scarce initially. I once had to carry my own urea tank for a long trip. The emission upgrades also impacted engine design, with technologies like EGR becoming widespread during that period.

Back when I was helping out at the DMV, it coincided with the peak implementation of China IV standards. In 2011, when registering new vehicles, all gasoline cars suddenly had 'China IV' marked on their green registration books. By 2013, diesel vehicles joined the initiative too, with yellow-label vehicles being outright denied annual inspections. The most directly impacted used car circulation, making cross-province transfers particularly troublesome. Some owners, desperate to sell their China III vehicles, even rolled back the odometers, only to have their cars impounded when caught. After China IV was implemented, car prices rose by about 10%, but engine lifespans actually extended. Looking back now, though the policy was a hassle, it was truly worthwhile.


