The Chinese government announced on Wednesday a six-month postponement to nationwide implementation of its China VI emissions standard for light-duty vehicles, which had been scheduled to take effect July 1.
Announced jointly by a number of agencies, the delay was approved in order to assist the nation’s automobile industry, which has seen a sharp drop in sales during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The regulation that had been scheduled for July 1 implementation was the first of two phases for China VI and is deemed equivalent to Euro VI and Euro 6 standards for light- and heavy-duty vehicles in the European Union. The second phase, scheduled to take effect in 2023, is more stringent.
The control technologies used to meet those emissions limits require higher performing engine oils than those used in vehicles meeting the China V standard.
More than a dozen jurisdictions, including the nation’s biggest cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing, have already implemented the first phase of China VI. The standard remains in place in those locations. Elsewhere, automakers will be permitted to sell cars and light trucks that comply with China V and that are built or imported before the end of this year.
The postponement had been requested by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. The International Council on Clean Transportation had opposed the request, saying that the new standard is an important step for reduction of air pollution and that automakers were already well-positioned to comply.
Heavy traffic in a city in China. The country has postponed until next year the implementation of the new China VI emissions standard as a means to help its economy recover by boosting auto sales.