The Burrow
Dec 16, 2024
The transportation industry accounts for about a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions globally – and switching to electrification is key to curb tailpipe pollutants.1
As car insurance comparison experts, we looked at which countries are set to phase out the sales of new internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles the quickest in the transition to electric vehicles.
Here are the most ambitious countries.
These are the countries or states that have set firm targets to stop the sale of new passenger petrol and diesel vehicles. Key findings include:
Some countries have permitted biofuel- and hydrogen-powered vehicles, while others have allowed for the registration of new hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Existing ICE models can still be driven and used examples can still be sold.
Certain nations have only made pledges or signed memorandums of understanding for electric vehicle sales, which have been excluded in this study.
| Country/State | New ICE ban year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | N/A | No federal ICE ban mandate. Emissions standard from 2025 to 2029 confirmed. |
| Australian Capital Territory | 2035 | Permits battery and hydrogen passenger cars, SUVs, utes and vans. |
| Queensland | 2036 | Target for new zero-emission passenger light and SUVs only. 50% sales aim by 2030. |
| New South Wales | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. 52% EVs by 2030-31, “vast majority” by 2035. |
| Victoria | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. 50% light zero-emission vehicles by 2030. |
| Tasmania | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. |
| Northern Territory | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. |
| South Australia | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Pledged 100% passenger EV sales by 2035. |
| Western Australia | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. |
| Canada | 2035 | Interim target of at least 20% by 2026 and at least 60% by 2030. |
| Chile | 2035 | Electric light and medium vehicles, and public transport. |
| China | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Plans for 100% battery EV, PHEV and hydrogen by 2035. |
| Colombia | N/A | Part of 2040 Accelerating to Zero Coalition signatory. |
| Costa Rica | 2050 | New zero-emission light vehicles. |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | 2035 | No new registration of ICE and hybrid vehicles “in 2035 or earlier”. |
| Iceland | 2030 | New petrol and diesel vehicle ban. |
| Japan | N/A | 2023 ban on pure ICE only. Hybrid and full EVs permitted. |
| Liechtenstein | N/A | Part of 2040 Accelerating to Zero Coalition signatory. |
| Malaysia | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. |
| New Zealand | N/A | Part of 2040 Accelerating to Zero Coalition signatory. |
| Norway | 2025 | Permits battery and hydrogen EVs. |
| Singapore | 2030 | Applies to new passenger cars and taxis. New diesel vehicles to be banned from 2025. |
| South Africa | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Has previously considered a 2024 ban. |
| South Korea | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Previously planned for 2035. |
| Switzerland | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Will be impacted by EU mandate due to its location. Aims for 50% PHEV and full EV by 2025. |
| Thailand | 2035 | Aims to be an EV and battery manufacturing hub. Interim target of 50% new EV registrations by 2030. |
| Türkiye | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Aims for full electric cars and vans by 2040. |
| United Kingdom | 2035 | 2030 ban on new pure ICE vehicles, hybrids allowed until 2035. |
| United Arab Emirates | N/A | No ICE ban mandate. Aims for 50% new EV sales by 2050. |
| United States | N/A | No federal ICE ban mandate. Aims for 50% new EV sales by 2030. |
| California | 2035 | Leads the Advanced Clean Cars II rule. Progressively targets higher proportion of new full EV, PHEV and hydrogen sales from 2026 to 2035 model years. |
| Delaware | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| Maryland | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| Massachusetts | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| New Jersey | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| New York | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| Oregon | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| Rhode Island | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| Washington | 2035 | Following California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule. |
| European Union (27 countries) | 2035 | New full electric, hydrogen and synthetic fuels permitted (passenger cars and vans) in: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. |
Compare the Market’s Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, said new EV sales mandates will not just impact a single country.
“As countries phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, it will have a flow-on effect on other markets – particularly from major auto manufacturing hubs including Japan, China, Thailand and Europe,” Mr Taylor said.
“Motorists will still be able to drive their existing combustion engine vehicle and buy used fuel-powered models.
“These mandates will only help expand the availability of more electric vehicles globally, allowing drivers to access cheaper running costs and greater model choice – albeit at a generally higher purchase price compared to diesel and petrol cars.
“However, EVs in Australia are generally more expensive to insure due to a limited repair network, fewer trained technicians to operate on and around high-voltage battery packs, and specialist parts that may need to be imported from overseas.
“Costs will come down over time as the EV market matures, and insurers get more data and need to be more price competitive.
“For now, it pays to compare what’s on offer to ensure you’re not paying more than you need to when insuring your car. Consider other ways to save, including paying annually, increasing your excess and going on a low kilometre policy if suitable, too.”
Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) to check for the inclusions, limits and restrictions before purchasing.
| Country/State | Sources | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | CarExpert – Here’s what’s in Australia’s new vehicle emissions regulation bill | ||
| Australian Capital Territory | Drive – It’s official: ACT to ban new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 – everything you need to know | ||
| Queensland | Queensland Government – Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy | Queensland Government – Queensland’s Zero Emission Vehicle Strategy 2022-2032 | |
| New South Wales | NSW Government – NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy | ||
| Victoria | VIC Government – Zero emissions vehicles | ||
| Tasmania | Tasmanian Government – Fact sheet supporting electric vehicle uptake | Premier of Tasmania – Tasmania achieves net zero again | ReCFIT – Tasmania’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
| Northern Territory | NT Government – Electric vehicle strategy and implementation plan | ||
| South Australia | Government of SA – Electric vehicles | Energy & Mining | Government of SA – South Australia’s Electric Vehicle Action Plan | |
| Western Australia | Government of WA – State Electric Vehicle Strategy for Western Australia | ||
| Canada | Government of Canada – Canada’s Zero-Emission vehicle sales targets | ||
| Chile | IEA – National Electromobility Strategy | ||
| China | Nikkei Asia – China plans to phase out conventional gas-burning cars by 2035 | ||
| Colombia | Accelerating to Zero Coalition – Colombia signs the Zero Emission Vehicles Declaration | ||
| Costa Rica | Government of Costa Rica – Decarbonization Plan | ||
| Hong Kong SAR, China | GovHK – Hong Kong Roadmap on Popularisation of Electric Vehicles | SCMP – Opinion | Hong Kong needs to go beyond 2035 petrol car ban and switch to electric commercial vehicles | |
| Iceland | Government of Iceland – Hydrogen and E-fuels Roadmap for Iceland | ||
| Japan | Gasgoo – Japan plans to ban the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035 | ||
| Liechtenstein | Accelerating to Zero Coalition – Signatories | ||
| Malaysia | The Malaysian Reserve – Malaysia on track for EV revolution | ||
| New Zealand | Accelerating to Zero Coalition – Signatories | Stuff – New Zealand to ban all combustion vehicle imports by 2040? | |
| Norway | The Guardian – Norway: electric cars outnumber petrol for first time in ‘historic milestone’ | Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars | ||
| Singapore | Ministry of Transport – Sustainable Land Transport | ||
| South Africa | BusinessTech – South Africa may look to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2035 – here’s why | ||
| South Korea | Just Auto – South Korea to phase out ICE vehicles by 2035 | InfluenceMap – The Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association and Climate Policy | |
| Switzerland | SWI Swissinfo.ch – Petrol cars will disappear from Swiss roads too | ||
| Thailand | Paul Tan’s Automotive News – Thailand plans to ban petrol, diesel car sales by 2035 | ||
| Türkiye | Accelerating to Zero Coalition – Signatories | ||
| United Kingdom | Top Gear – As expected, the 2030 petrol-diesel ban is back on | ||
| United Arab Emirates | UAW Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure – Minister of Energy And Infrastructure Outlines Details Of National Electric Vehicles Policy | ||
| United States | The White House – FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces Steps to Drive American Leadership Forward on Clean Cars and Trucks | ||
| California | California Air Resources Board – Advanced Clean Cars II | ||
| Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington | CNET – 12 US States Are Planning to Ban the Sale of Gas-Powered Cars | ||
| European Union | European Parliament – EU ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 explained | Euronews – EU 2035 petrol and diesel car ban: Germany reaches deal on synthetic fuels | |