
Nationally, China VIa will be implemented from July 1, 2020, and China VIb will be implemented from July 1, 2023. Wuhan follows the national timeline. Below is an introduction to the China VI emission standard: 1. The China VI emission standard refers to the sixth-stage emission control requirements outlined in the "Limits and Measurement Methods for Emissions from Light-duty Vehicles (China VI)" (GB18352.6-2016), issued by relevant authorities at the end of 2016. According to the plan of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the China VI emission standard will be officially implemented nationwide on July 1, 2020. 2. When the China VI emission standard was first introduced, it was clearly stated that it would be implemented in two phases: "China VIa" and "China VIb." According to the document, the two emission standards, "China VIa" and "China VIb," will be implemented on July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2023, respectively. 3. In terms of emission values, "China VIa" is similar to "China V," serving as a transitional phase from "China V" to "China VI." "China VIb" is the true "China VI" emission standard. The "China VIb" standard explicitly stipulates that the total hydrocarbon (THC) limit is half that of "China VIa."

I remember that Wuhan started implementing the China VI-b emission standard from July 1, 2023. This timeline was a bit later than cities like Beijing and Shanghai, but more than half a year earlier than the nationwide mandatory deadline. At that time, many car dealers were clearing out their China V inventory vehicles, and I even helped a friend snag a good deal at a 4S shop. Currently, all newly registered vehicles in Wuhan must meet the China VI-b standard, including used gasoline vehicles transferred from other regions. The China VI-b standard imposes particularly strict emission requirements, reducing particulate emissions by over 90% compared to China V, so it's crucial to check the vehicle's environmental information list when purchasing. The upcoming China VII standard will be even stricter, but Wuhan hasn't announced a timeline for its implementation yet.

Wuhan has implemented a grace period for the adoption of China 6b emission standards. A notice was issued in early 2023 stating that the standards would officially take effect on July 1st, but vehicles meeting the older China 5 standards could still be registered within three months if invoiced before the end of June. At that time, car dealers were promoting clearance sales on social media, with some models discounted by 20,000 to 30,000 yuan. Now, when purchasing new cars, buyers must ensure that the RDE (Real Driving Emissions) test values meet the standards, with a PN (Particle Number) limit of 6x10^11 particles per kilometer for light-duty vehicles, and avoid being misled by leftover stock. The China 6 standards are divided into two phases, a and b, with Wuhan directly implementing the stricter phase b. According to documents from the environmental protection bureau, there may be random inspections of OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) systems in the future, and emission cheating will face severe penalties.

A car owner from Hankou tells you that since last summer, the vehicle management office has required checking the China 6b certification for license plate registration. The key data is the CO emission limit of 0.5g/km, which is 30% lower than China 5. Friends planning to buy a car recently should pay attention to two points: first, check the vehicle conformity certificate, and second, note that Wuhan's transitional period allowance until the end of September has expired. Currently, China 5 vehicles on the road are unaffected, but cross-city transfers during used car transactions might face restrictions. Gas stations started supplying China 6B gasoline two years ago, with olefin content in the fuel reduced to below 15%, which is indeed more friendly to the emission system.

Wuhan officially implemented the China 6b emission standard on July 1, 2023. Prior to this policy rollout, the vehicle management system had already upgraded its testing procedures in advance. I recall that the inspection lines added RDE (Real Driving Emissions) testing at that time, requiring vehicles to run for 90 minutes on urban roads with PEMS equipment. A 4S store salesperson once complained to me that some vehicles easily exceeded NOx limits during cold starts. When purchasing a car, special attention must be paid to engine model suffixes marked with 6b, such as Volkswagen's EA888-DTJ designation. China 6b compliant vehicles require 0W-20 low-ash engine oil; otherwise, the GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter) may clog, causing significant trouble.


