Time is limited for the good ol’ internal combustion engine. With government officials and automakers encouraging propulsion alternatives, gas-powered engines may soon be just a “back in my day” type of memory.  

While some automakers, like Volvo and Jaguar, have pledged to hybridize or electrify all future vehicles, the vast majority of the world’s new vehicles are still sold with traditional gasoline and diesel engines. But – and that’s a big but – many cities, states, and countries want to ban all new vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel. Here is a comprehensive breakdown of all the geographical areas planning to prevent the sale of new vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines (ICE).

China — 2030

Being the largest car market in the world, China has the potential to make a big impact on the global automotive industry. Although no specific timetable is set, the Associated Press reported that “research on formulating a timetable to stop production and sales of traditional energy vehicles” is in the works. In the meantime, China has set goals for increasing sales of hybridized and electric vehicles. By 2020, government officials want five million chargers installed, and 80 million by 2030. This improved infrastructure presumably will help the country reach its goal of “new energy vehicles” accounting for 40 percent of car sales by 2030.

California — TBD

This progressive state has a goal to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent before 2050. Part of that plan, of course, may involve axing new gas or diesel cars. California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols toldBloomberg News the state’s governor has been pressured to take more aggressive environmental actions – the thought being, “why can China do this and not California.” At this time, an ICE ban is being considered, but no concrete rule is in place.

Israel — 2030

A plan has been proposed by Israel's Energy Ministry that would ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel-powered cars beginning in 2030. Vehicles equipped to run on natural gas would still be allowed, as well as electric vehicles. The plan as yet to be adopted, but it's expected to get full government approval by the end of 2018. 

United Kingdom — 2040

Like California, British officials want to take drastic measures to improve the country’s air quality. Unlike California, the U.K. plans to ban all new gasoline- and diesel-powered cars and vans by 2040. Although no new cars with traditional engines will be allowed to be sold, current owners of vehicles running off non-renewable sources will still be able to drive their vehicles. Scotland intends to implement the same ban even earlier, by 2032.

Norway — 2025

2025: the year Norway wants the sale of ICEs eliminated – that’s soon. According to CNN Money, 40 percent of all cars sold there in 2016 were hybrid or electric vehicles – an abnormally high market share compared to other countries. After 2025, only zero-emission vehicles will be allowed to be sold.

France — 2040

To help fight global warming, Nicolas Hulot, France’s Minister of Ecological and Solidarity Transition, intends to end the sale of gas- and diesel-powered cars by 2040. According to CNN Money, hybrids and EVs only accounted for four percent of new car sales in the country 2016 – sounds like French officials have a large task ahead of them.

More recently, Paris specifically said it will ban all diesel-powered cars by 2024, and would ban all internal-combustion car sales by 2030.

Germany — TBD

Unlike the other European countries above, Germany doesn’t want to set a date yet on the gas engine’s demise. But Chancellor Angela Merkel did tell German magazine SUPERillu that Europe needs to eventually eliminate gasoline and diesel engines. The Chancellor intends to work with automakers to ensure a “smooth transition” into an electrified future, and will encourage them to implement new technologies to keep vehicle pollution under control.

India — 2030

Home to some of the world’s most polluted cities, India intends to take drastic measures to prevent further pollution. CNN Money said New Delhi officials only want electric vehicles sold in the country by 2030. Anil Kumar Jain, a government energy adviser, said this is only an “aspirational target” at the moment.

Paris, Mexico City, Madrid, and Athens — 2025

The mayors of these four capital cities signed a global petition in 2016 to ban diesel cars from their streets by 2025. City officials hope this will encourage automakers to be less reliant on gasoline and diesel fuels. Official legislation is still in the works. (Paris will go with a ban a bit sooner; see above for more details.)

 

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