China’s Hainan Island Sets 2030 Deadline to Ban New Gas-Powered Cars

In a bold move that marks a first for any Chinese province, the southern island of Hainan has announced a complete ban on the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2030. The provincial government released a detailed roadmap, reported by CarNewsChina, outlining the phaseout of internal combustion engine vehicles across the island.

8 kilometers, officials believe modern electric vehicles can easily handle all routes, and the smaller geography simplifies the rollout of charging stations.

By mid-2026, renewable energy is expected to become the island’s primary electricity source. Hainan already leads China in the market share of electric vehicles and ranks second among all provincial-level regions in total EV numbers. The plan sets concrete targets: by 2030, new-energy vehicles must make up over 45% of the total fleet.

Starting that year, all public and social transport, government, municipal, and passenger vehicles, as well as all new and replacement private cars, must run on clean energy. Only specialized equipment gets an exemption. 5 to 1.

The transition won’t be smooth. As early as 2022, officials flagged challenges in integrating charging and hydrogen stations into urban areas, plus the heavy strain on the power grid. Hainan sits at the end of the Southern Energy Ring, relies heavily on external power supplies, and faces high electricity rates.

To boost energy independence to 54% by 2030, the island plans to expand nuclear and renewable generation. It will also introduce differentiated traffic rules, such as registration, driving, and parking perks for EVs, to speed up the retirement of gas-powered cars. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Hyundai and Kia recently launched recalls over battery fire risks affecting a limited batch of EVs, advising owners to park away from homes.