China: Motorcycles: Emissions

Overview

 * Standard type: Conventional pollutant emission limits
 * Regulating body: Ministry of Environmental Protection
 * Current standard: China III (similar to Euro 3, but with some key differences)
 * Future standards: China IV
 * Applicability: Two and three-wheeled motorcycles and mopeds.

History
China is the world's leading motorcycle manufacturer, with an annual production volume of over 27 million two- and three-wheelers. With such an immense population of motorcycles and mopeds, regulating the group of vehicles is an important piece of the country's emission control program.

Stage III standards are based on the Euro 3 standards for motorcycles, but with the new addition of emission durability requirements (unique to China III in that they are not part of the EU's motorcycle program). Two stroke engines are no longer sold in China in order to make it easier to meet Stage III standards.

The most current set of emissions standards, Stage III standards, for two- and three-wheelers in China were implemented in 2008-2009. Even as standards for two- and three- wheelers tighten, motorcycles remain more polluting than four-wheel vehicles (on a per kilometer basis), and further reduction in emission limits will be required to mitigate their air quality impacts.

Gasoline is the dominant fuel for these types of vehicles. Regulated pollutants, for both the Euro and China programs, include HC, CO, and NOx.

Key progress in China's implementation of motorcycle emission standards is as follows:

Technical Standards
China introduced the Stage I standard in 2003 for motorcycles and 2004 for mopeds. The standards quickly moved to Stage II, which were implemented in 2005 for 2- and 3-wheeled motorcycles. A year later, it was a requirement for 2- and 3-wheeled mopeds as well.

Regulatory Documents
China I/II (MC): GB14622-2002

China III (MC): GB14622-2007 (extended by one year)

China I/II (mopeds): GB18176-2002

China III (mopeds): GB18176-2007 (extended by one year)

Evaporative emissions (both): GB20998-2007

Idling emissions (both): GB14621-2011

Exhaust smoke (both): GB19758-2005