Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles


More than 14 countries and over 20 cities around the world have proposed banning the sale of passenger vehicles powered by fossil fuels such as gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas and diesel at some time in the future. Synonyms for the bans include phrases like "banning gas cars", "banning ICE cars", or "banning petrol cars".
Reasons for banning further sale of fossil fuel vehicles include meeting national CO2 targets under international agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, energy independence, or health risks from pollution particulates and other emissions. The intent to ban vehicles powered by fossil fuels is attractive to governments as it offers a simpler compliance target, compared with a carbon tax or phase-out of fossil fuels. The automotive industry is working to introduce electric vehicles to adapt to bans with varying success and it is seen by some in the industry as a possible source of money in a declining market.
China, the largest auto market globally, is researching a timetable. Japan, the number three global auto market, has comprehensive plans to become a hydrogen economy by 2040. Other countries with proposed bans or implementing 100% sales of zero-emissions vehicles include the UK, South Korea, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Slovenia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Canada, the 12 U.S. states that adhered to California's Zero-Emission Vehicle Program, Sri Lanka, Cabo Verde, and Costa Rica. In California, emissions requirements for automakers to be permitted to sell any vehicles in the state was expected to force 15% of new vehicles offered for sale between 2018 and 2025 to be zero emission. Much cleaner emissions and increased efficiency in petrol engines mean this will be met with just 8% ZEV vehicles.

Scope

The banning of fossil fuelled vehicles of a defined scope requires legislation to restrict further sales or registration of new vehicles powered with specific fuels from a future date. At the date of implementation existing vehicles would remain registrable. As of 2020, most bans remain over 10 years into the future and are not yet legislated.

Jurisdictions with planned fossil-fuel vehicle bans

Countries

Cities and territories

Some cities listed have signed the Fossil Fuel Free Streets Declaration, committing to ban emitting vehicles by 2030, but this does not necessarily have force of law in those jurisdictions.
City or territoryCountryBan announcedBan commencesScopeSelectivity
AmsterdamNetherlands20192030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles
AthensGreece20162025DieselAll vehicles
AucklandNew Zealand20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
Balearic IslandsSpain20182025−35Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles
BarcelonaSpain20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
Bristol20192021DieselAll private vehicles
British ColumbiaCanada20182025Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles by 2040, 10% ZEVs by 2025
BrusselsBelgium20182030DieselAll vehicles
Cape TownSouth Africa20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
CopenhagenDenmark20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
HainanChina20182030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles
HeidelbergGermany20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
LondonUnited Kingdom20172020-30Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
Los AngelesUnited States20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
MadridSpain20162025DieselAll vehicles
Mexico CityMexico20162025DieselAll vehicles
MilanItaly20172030DieselAll diesel vehicles, electric buses by 2025
OxfordUnited Kingdom20172020−35Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles
ParisFrance20162025DieselAll vehicles
QuitoEcuador20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
RomeItaly20182024DieselAll vehicles
SeattleUnited States20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025
VancouverCanada20172030Gasoline or dieselAll vehicles, electric buses by 2025