The world is moving toward an all-electric future — but when will gas cars be gone for good?
One of the most common questions car buyers are asking today is: “When can you only buy electric cars?”
As governments push for cleaner transportation and automakers commit to full electrification, many countries are setting deadlines to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles . While the transition won’t happen overnight, a growing number of nations have official phase-out dates — and some are even ahead of schedule.
In this article, we’ll explore when you may only be able to buy electric cars , which countries are leading the charge, and how the auto industry is preparing for a fully electric future.
What Does “Only Buy Electric Cars” Mean?
When people ask “when can you only buy electric cars?” , they’re usually referring to the point in time when:
- 🚫 New gasoline and diesel car sales are banned
- ⚡ All new cars sold must be fully electric or hydrogen-powered
- 🔋 Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) may or may not be included depending on the country
This doesn’t mean used gas cars will disappear immediately , nor that gas stations will close overnight , but it marks a clear turning point where automakers stop producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for consumer markets.
Global Timeline: When Will Only Electric Cars Be Available?
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 2025 | Already over 90% EV sales — effectively only selling electric cars now |
| 🇨🇳 China | TBD – likely 2035+ | Encouraging EVs through policy, not full ban yet |
| 🇬🇧 UK | 2030 | Ban includes hybrids by 2035 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 2035 | Agreed EU-wide ICE sales ban |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 2035 (California), Federal Goal by 2040 | California leads; federal target under Biden administration |
| 🇪🇺 EU (27 member states) | 2035 | Full ICE ban including hybrids |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 2035 | Focus on hybrids until 2030, then full shift to EVs |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | No official date | Pushing green mobility under Vision 2030 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | No official date | Investing heavily in EV infrastructure |
These targets are shaping up to define the future of car ownership , especially in urban centers and regulated markets.
Countries That Effectively Only Sell Electric Cars Now
🇳🇴 Norway – Leading the Charge
- ✅ Gasoline and diesel car sales already phased out for practical purposes
- 📈 Over 90% of new car sales are electric
- 💡 Supported by tax breaks, toll exemptions, and free public charging
In Norway, gas-powered cars are almost extinct in showrooms , making it the first major market where only electric cars dominate new car sales .
🇮🇱 Israel & 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🚫 De facto bans due to high taxes on gasoline/diesel cars
- 🧾 High registration fees make ICE vehicles unaffordable
- 🚘 In practice, only electric cars are being bought by most new car owners
While not officially banned, gas cars are priced out of reach , making electric the default choice .
Major Automakers’ Electric-Only Roadmaps
Many car brands are also aligning with government policies and shifting to all-electric production lines :
| 🚗Tesla | Already all-electric | No ICE models ever |
| 🚗BYD | All-new models electric since 2022 | World’s largest EV maker |
| 🚗Volvo | 50% electric by 2026, full shift by 2030 | Strong hybrid-to-EV transition |
| 🚗Mercedes-Benz | All-electric by 2030 (where regulations allow) | Investing in EV platforms |
| 🚗BMW | 50% electric by 2030 | Building dedicated EV factories |
| 🚗Ford | 40–50% electric by 2030 | U.S. and Europe focus |
| 🚗Toyota | Hybrid-first strategy, full EV shift by 2035 | Slower than competitors |
Some automakers like Chery, Geely, and Great Wall Motors are also accelerating their EV-only strategies, especially in export markets like Russia and the Middle East.
What About Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs)?
While many countries are banning gasoline and diesel engines , there’s debate about whether plug-in hybrids will be included:
- 🇪🇺 EU : PHEVs are included in the 2035 ICE sales ban
- 🇬🇧 UK : PHEVs banned from 2035
- 🇺🇸 USA : Not banned, but incentives favor pure EVs
- 🇯🇵 Japan : Still supporting hybrids beyond 2030
This means that by 2035 , in many parts of the world, only fully electric or hydrogen-powered cars will be available as new purchases .
How Are Governments Preparing for an Electric-Only Future?
To support the shift, governments are taking key steps:
- ⚡ Expanding public charging infrastructure
- 💰 Offering EV purchase incentives and tax breaks
- 🏭 Supporting local battery and EV production
- 🚘 Upgrading dealerships and service centers for EVs
- 🚦 Introducing low-emission zones in cities
Countries like Germany, France, and South Korea are investing billions into EV-friendly policies and supply chain development .
Is It Too Early to Go All-Electric?
For many consumers, buying an electric car is already the smartest move :
- 💰 Lower long-term operating costs
- 🚘 More features and tech
- ⚡ Faster acceleration and smoother driving experience
- 🌍 Environmentally responsible
However, in regions with limited charging infrastructure , long-distance drivers , or budget-conscious buyers , gasoline and hybrid cars still play a role — for now.
Final Thoughts
So, when can you only buy electric cars? For some countries like Norway , that day has already arrived — gas-powered cars are nearly extinct in showrooms . For others, the timeline stretches from 2030 to 2035 , with more nations expected to follow.
If you’re planning your next car purchase, now is the time to start considering electric options — because in just a few years, gas cars may no longer be available at all .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When will only electric cars be available for sale?
A: Many countries plan to ban ICE vehicle sales by 2030–2035 , meaning only electric cars will be available after that date.
Q: Will I still be able to buy used gas cars after 2035?
A: Yes, used gas cars will remain legal to own and sell for years after the ban.
Q: Can I buy a plug-in hybrid after 2035?
A: In the EU and UK , plug-in hybrids will also be banned from 2035 onward.
Q: What happens to gas stations after the ICE ban?
A: Gas stations will still operate for existing vehicles, but many will convert to EV charging hubs over time.
Q: Will all car brands go electric by 2030?
A: Most major brands are committed to going electric by 2030–2035 , though some are faster than others.