Meeting China’s WLTP and RDE Requirements for Automotive Emissions and Fuel Economy

China's emissions and fuel economy requirements

As part of the effort to address China’s pollution and air quality issues, regulators in that country are moving quickly to adopt more rigorous requirements addressing emissions and fuel economy standards for automobiles and other light duty vehicles. Following the regulatory model applicable in the European Union (EU), China 5 emissions regulations now in effect throughout most of China closely mirror those found in Euro 5 requirements in terms of limit values, test cycles and most other parameters. However, in December 2016, China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) issued the final version of its China 6 standard for gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles. Scheduled to be implemented in two separate phases, 6a and 6b in 2020 and 2023 respectively, the new regulations will establish some of the most rigorous emissions requirements of any jurisdiction around the world.

What is China 6 and why is it important?

Taking effect in 2020, China 6a automotive emissions standards are largely adopted from emissions standards applicable in the European Union, and are generally consistent with the requirements in Euro 6. The key differences are that limits under China 6a are the same for both gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles, and that cold start testing is not required.

• The greater challenge is slated to occur in 2023 with the implementation of China 6b standards, China 6b targets reductions of hydrocarbon emissions by 50 percent from Euro 6 levels, as well as 40 percent reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 33 percent reduction in particulate matter (PM). In addition, China 6b incorporates a limit on nitrous oxide (N2O), and adopts the on-board diagnostic (OBD) requirements found in California’s OBD II regulations.

• Testing under both China 6a and 6b must follow the procedures detailed in the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), a core element of Global Technical Regulation 15 (GTR 15), which was approved in March 2014 by 11 countries, including China and the EU. The goal of GTR 15 is to provide worldwide harmonized test procedures that can evaluate in a repeatable and reproducible manner emissions levels for a variety of pollutants as well as fuel and electrical energy consumption.

• Ultimately, China 6 regulations, combined with China’s adoption of the WLTP, will require manufacturers to develop new approaches and technologies to reduce emissions and maximise fuel efficiency. Further, despite the WLTP’s intent to harmonise emissions testing procedures, actual testing policies may differ between individual testing laboratories, and between testing labs in different countries, potentially resulting in different test outcomes for the same vehicle.

Find here an overview of emissions type 1 test under China 6a and 6b as well as a comparison between Euro 6 an China 6 RDE requirements.

TÜV sÜD is your Partner to enter China's automotive market

TÜV SÜD’s accredited, state-of-the-art testing facilities are located near major automotive development centres around the world. Each testing facility is fully equipped to conduct all essential emissions and fuel efficiency tests required for passenger and commercial vehicles and motorcycles, including evaporated emissions testing in shed chambers and coast down testing to determine driving resistance under real world conditions. Testing is conducted in accordance with national regulations and international standards, including China 5 and China 6a/6b, and the WLTP, as well as all applicable industry requirements

TÜV SÜD is also actively working with partner testing laboratories in China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and U.S. to more closely harmonise emissions testing procedures. The goal of TÜV SÜD’s round robin testing programme is to reduce the number of variables that can affect testing outcomes to the extent possible. This approach will ultimately help to ensure consistency in emissions results generated by multiple laboratories testing the same vehicle.

With our round robin testing programme, TÜV SÜD offers automotive manufacturers worldwide harmonised emissions and fuel efficiency testing, reducing the time and expense associated with obtaining global regulatory approval for new vehicle models. The round robin testing programme is just one example of TÜV SÜD’s century-long commitment to support the global automotive industry with innovative programmes and testing solutions that can address their regulatory compliance challenges.

TÜV SÜD's Emissions Testing services for the Chinese Market

TÜV SÜD emissions and fuel economy testing services for the Chinese market include:

• All emissions and fuel efficiency tests required for passenger and commercial vehicles and motorcycles

  Including evaporated emissions testing in shed chambers and coast down testing to determine driving resistance under real world conditions (referring to RDE).

• Worldwide harmonised light vehicles test procedures (WLTP) and China 5 as well as China 6a/6b

  Testing in accordance with the requirements of a new globally-harmonised standard and relevant national regulations as well as industry requirements to determine emissions and fuel economy of light-duty vehicles.

• Portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) testing

  Allows field testing of vehicle emissions to evaluate actual in-use performance.

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) testing

  Evaluates the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) from automobile engines.

• Conformity of production (CoP) testing

  Verifies emissions and fuel economy performance for use in CoP documentation.