CHINA will implement a more rigorous set of emissions standards for motor vehicles nationwide from July 1, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said Tuesday.

The production, import or sale of motor vehicles that do not meet the standards will be prohibited, the ministry said.

Motor vehicle manufacturers and importers will be obliged to disclose the results of emissions tests and information on pollution-control technologies to ensure their vehicles meet the new standards.

The standards, known as China VI-b, will help reduce air pollution and contribute to environmental protection, and it is also expected to promote the healthy development of the domestic car market, industry players observed.

When the new guideline is implemented, all new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the country are required to meet the standard as the government aims to help stabilize and expand automobile consumption in the country.

Emissions from cars have become a significant source of air pollution in large and medium-sized cities in China, and the urgency of strengthening the control of such pollution has become increasingly prominent. In 2021, total emissions of four pollutants from motor vehicles nationwide exceeded 15.5 million metric tons, according to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

Revealed in 2018, the China VI standards are made up of two sub-standards — China VI-a and China VI-b. The overall standards combine practices from both European and U.S. regulatory requirements, in addition to creating its own.

China VI-a is largely equivalent to Euro VI, and China VI-b introduces slightly more stringent testing requirements and a remote emission monitoring system, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation.

The China VI-a took effect nationally July 1, 2020, and many regions had even adopted it a year earlier.

The stricter China VI-b had been scheduled for July 1 this year, although some industry players called for postponing this date in recent months. Tuesday’s release of the guideline has reassured them, observers said.

“The policy is expected to play a significant role in helping stabilize the development of the car market by stabilizing the mentality of car dealers, manufacturers and the pace of production and sales,” said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association.

Specifically, the China VI-b standards feature reductions in nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emission limits by around 70% from the previous China V standards.

Meanwhile, the guideline noted that for light-duty commercial vehicles, if their pollutant emission testing reports from actual driving showed a result that only requires monitoring, a six-month sales transition period will be granted and such vehicles will be allowed for sale until Dec. 31.

(China Daily, Xinhua)