When will the China 6 vehicle emission standard be implemented?
2 Answers
The China 6 standard will be officially implemented starting from July 1, 2023. Below are specific details about the China 6 standard: 1. The China 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 China 6. 2. Phase a requirements: By July 1, 2023 at the latest, all light-duty vehicles sold and registered must meet China 6 standards. 3. Phase b limit requirements: This means that China 6a can only be considered a transitional phase, while China 6b represents the true China 6 stage. Additional information: Note that some regions have implemented the China 6 emission standard ahead of schedule. For example, Guangzhou implemented the China 6 standard for light-duty gasoline and diesel vehicles starting from March 1, 2019; Shenzhen required light-duty gasoline vehicles to comply with the China 6 standard from July 1, 2019.
I remember specifically checking the China 6 emission standards when I changed my car last year. The China 6a standard was first implemented in major cities like Beijing in July 2019, followed by the China 6b phase in July 2020, covering more areas nationwide. The full mandatory enforcement date was July 1, 2023, from which all newly launched gasoline light-duty vehicles had to comply with China 6b. My choices were limited—I had to look for the latest models, and the depreciation of older cars dropped significantly. With this standard upgrade, vehicle emission control technologies became more advanced, such as optimized exhaust treatment systems that could further reduce nitrogen oxides. The air quality reports in my city showed a decrease in PM2.5 levels—though not entirely attributable to this change, it certainly had benefits. As an ordinary driver, understanding these timelines in advance was crucial to avoid issues with car purchases and registrations.
