[Auto] Japan May Ban Gas-Powered Cars by 2030, and They’re Not Alone

[HiTLeR]

 

Japan’s government may be preparing to ban the sale of new, gasoline-powered cars by 2030, according to public broadcaster NHK. The move would bring the list of countries considering a ban to at least 18. This comes shortly after the U.K. moved its own date for a ban up to 2030.

 

Closer to home, California’s governor has issued an executive order requiring that all sales of new cars and trucks in the state be emissions-free by 2035.

 

To be clear, that order is expected to face significant legal challenges and triggered an immediate conflict with a federal government that does not appear ready to take similar steps. Still, the movement to ban gasoline-powered cars is gaining steam outside the U.S., with proposed bans in cities on every continent but Africa and Antarctica.

 

EV pressure grows

In the short term, the bans will likely have little effect on Americans shopping for a new car. But in the medium term, they will add to the pressure for automakers to build and sell more electric and alternative fuel cars like the Nissan Leaf EV. After all, every automaker that sells cars in the U.S. also sells them overseas, with Japanese companies making up about 40 percent of the American market in recent years.

 

Just this week, Hyundai announced plans for 23 new EVs in just the next five years, while Cadillac began buying out dealerships that don’t want to move to an all-electric model. There are enough electric cars for sale on the U.S. market today to require our list of the best electric cars.

 

The movement is also likely to transform the market for used cars – keep an eye on our lists of the best used cars in each market segment and price point. You’re likely to see prices decline and supply increase as EVs take over more of the market.