Which Year's Cars Belong to China IV?

[VonLucy]

Cars produced after July 1, 2011, comply with the China IV standard. The China V emission standard was implemented on July 1, 2017, so cars meeting the China IV emission standard were manufactured between 2011 and 2017. The latest emission standard is China VI, which was implemented on July 1, 2019. Relevant information about automobile emission standards is as follows: 1. Introduction: Automobile emission standards regulate the content of harmful gases such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC+NOx (hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides), and PM (particulate matter, soot) emitted from vehicle exhaust. 2. Implementation: Starting from January 1, 2004, Beijing changed the tailpipe emission standard for motor vehicles from Euro I to Euro II, and by 2008, the Euro III standard was officially implemented.

[VanJason]

I remember that the China 4 emission standard was officially implemented nationwide on July 1, 2011, mainly targeting newly produced passenger vehicles. Before that, major cities like Beijing and Shanghai had started pilot programs as early as 2009, so vehicles manufactured between approximately 2009 and 2013 could potentially belong to the China 4 standard. The standard was introduced to control exhaust pollution, such as reducing nitrogen oxide emissions, and many automakers had to upgrade their technologies at the time. When buying a car now, you can check the specific emission level through the date on the vehicle's environmental label or the VIN code. If there's no information available, it's best to seek a professional vehicle inspection. I recommend that to determine the year range, you should consider both the manufacturing date and the registration date to avoid purchasing a fake China 4 vehicle that could affect daily use.

[SanJoanna]

Last year when I was selecting a used car, I found that China IV emission standard vehicles were typically produced between 2010 and 2014, as that was when the standard was fully implemented. You can verify this by checking the environmental records at the vehicle management office or cross-referencing the registration date on the vehicle license. In practice, some regions implemented the standard earlier—for example, Shenzhen enforced it in 2009—so it's important to understand local policies before buying. China IV vehicles still perform well now, but they face higher risks of traffic restrictions in the future. When purchasing a car, I always prioritize higher emission standards to extend its usable life. Environmental considerations require a long-term perspective; don’t just focus on price and overlook the details.

[DeAlex]

From what I recall, light passenger vehicles produced after 2008 might comply with China IV emission standards, which were nationally enforced starting July 2011. For heavy-duty trucks or buses, the full implementation came later, not until 2013. The exact year depends on the region and vehicle model—for example, Guangzhou adopted the standards earlier, so cars manufactured in 2009 might already qualify. When in doubt, I recommend checking the environmental compliance list directly at a 4S dealership or on official websites, or asking a mechanic to use diagnostic tools to read the codes for confirmation. Simply put, most vehicles from 2008 to 2013 fall within this standard range.