When was the China VI emission standard for trucks implemented?
2 Answers
China VI emission standard for trucks was implemented on July 1, 2021. Below is relevant information about it: Introduction to China VI: The "China VI" standard is an upgrade from the "China V" standard, requiring carbon monoxide emissions and total hydrocarbons to be reduced by more than 50% from the original baseline. According to the plan, the "China VI" standard will be implemented in two phases: 6A and 6B. The first phase started on July 1, 2020, and the second phase will begin on July 1, 2023. The World's Strictest Standard: The China VI standard references both the Euro 6c standard for emission limits and the OBD and evaporative emission requirements of the North American EPA-Tier3 standard, hence it is also known as the "world's strictest" standard.
I've been driving trucks for over a decade and remember clearly that the China VI emission standards for trucks officially started on July 1, 2021. That summer, everyone was talking about it. At the time, my old China V truck could no longer be used to purchase new vehicles—I had to upgrade to a China VI model to get it registered. The vehicle prices shot up significantly, but the emissions during operation were much lower, with far less black smoke coming from the exhaust. Driving in the city felt much more reassuring. I’d advise drivers to pay attention to local regulations in advance—some key regions like Beijing and Hebei implemented the standards earlier. If you’re late in replacing your vehicle, it could be troublesome, as it might not pass inspections. Overall, the policy is good, but for small operators like us, the cost pressure is considerable.
