China to implement stricter fuel standards for heavy-duty vehicles in July

On 1 July 2025, China will implement Stage 4 fuel consumption standards for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, marking a significant step in its efforts to curb fuel use and emissions. Published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on 29 September 2024, the new standard (GB 30510-2024) applies to various heavy-duty vehicles, including tractor-trailers, straight trucks, dump trucks, coaches, and city buses exceeding a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,500 kg.

China’s heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector is a major contributor to fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. While HDVs make up only 15% of the total vehicle fleet, they account for more than 50% of on-road fuel consumption. Recognising the urgent need for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, China has gradually strengthened its regulations over the past decade.

China’s fuel consumption standards for HDVs were first introduced in 2012 with Stage 1. This initial phase was voluntary and applied only to three vehicle segments: trucks, coaches, and tractor-trailers. In 2014, Stage 2 made the standards mandatory and expanded coverage to include dump trucks and city buses, tightening limits by 10.5%–14.5% compared to Stage 1.

Stage 3, implemented in 2019, further increased stringency by 10.7%–17.9%, maintaining the same regulated vehicle types. Now, with Stage 4, China is taking another significant leap, aligning its policies with international efforts to promote fuel efficiency and carbon reduction.

These developments are summarised in the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) report, China’s Stage 4 Fuel Consumption Standard for Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles, authored by Xinran Liu and Shiyue Mao, published in December 2024.

Key changes in Stage 4 regulations

The Stage 4 standard introduces stricter fuel consumption limits and expands its coverage:

• 12%–16% fuel consumption reduction compared to Stage 3, varying by vehicle type.
• Hybrid electric vehicles are now included in the regulation.
• The China Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicle Test Cycle (CHTC) replaces the previous China-World Transient Vehicle Cycle (C-WTVC) for better accuracy in reflecting real-world driving conditions.
• New fuel consumption limits for concrete mixers.
• Official CO2 emissions conversion formula introduced (2,600 g/L for diesel and 2,370 g/L for petrol).
• New criteria for type-approval of model variants and revised production conformity standards.

Implementation timeline

• 1 July 2025: Effective for new type approvals.
• 1 July 2027: Mandatory for all new heavy commercial vehicles sold in China.

International comparison

China’s Stage 4 standard aligns with international trends in fuel economy and CO2 reduction for heavy-duty vehicles:

• The European Union revised its CO2 standards in 2024, increasing reduction targets to 45% by 2030 and 90% by 2040.
• The United States implemented Phase 3 greenhouse gas emission standards in 2024, requiring a 40%–60% reduction in CO2 emissions for heavy trucks by 2032.
• Japan’s Phase 2 fuel economy standards aim for a 3.4%–15.5% reduction for new heavy-duty vehicles by 2025.

The future of heavy-duty vehicle regulations

China’s Stage 4 standard is expected to drive fuel efficiency improvements and emission reductions in the commercial transport sector. As global regulations tighten, manufacturers must continue innovating in fuel-efficient and low-emission technologies. Additionally, the shift to hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles will play a crucial role in meeting long-term sustainability goals.

With stricter conformity of production requirements, manufacturers will face increased pressure to ensure that vehicles meet certified fuel consumption values. Additionally, the inclusion of an official CO2 conversion formula brings China’s regulations closer in alignment with global carbon accounting practices.

Experts believe that Stage 4 is a precursor to more stringent fuel economy and zero-emission vehicle policies in the future, similar to those in the EU and the U.S. China’s growing emphasis on vehicle electrification and fuel efficiency highlights its commitment to reducing dependency on fossil fuels while cutting emissions from one of the most energy-intensive transportation sectors.