Singapore media Lianhe Zaobao reported on the 16th on the reasons why Hainan Province will be the first in China to ban the sale of gasoline cars.

China's Hainan Province will completely stop the sale of new gasoline vehicles (pure internal combustion engine vehicles) by 2030. This is an extension of a policy that has been advanced since 2018. By 2030, all newly sold and updated vehicles, with the exception of special vehicles, will be New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), and the province aims to install one charging station per 2.5 vehicles.

On the other hand, gasoline vehicles already registered can continue to operate after the sales ban, provided they pass vehicle inspections.

According to the article, the background for Hainan Province being the first in China to implement a ban on new gasoline car sales lies in its unique geographical conditions and policy foundations not found in other regions.

The biggest reason is said to be that Hainan Province is an island, and because driving distances within the island are relatively short and long-distance travel is minimal, electric vehicles (EVs) with limited range are easier to use. Experts also point out that "due to the island's characteristics, the range of vehicle activity is limited, and if charging infrastructure is in place, the spread of new energy vehicles will be easier than in inland areas."

Another reason is that Hainan Province has a warm climate throughout the year, and battery performance degradation due to low temperatures, as seen in colder regions, is less likely to occur.

Furthermore, as of April this year, the proportion of new energy vehicles in Hainan Province's new car sales was 74.5%, the highest in China, with over 230,000 charging piles and approximately 4,900 charging stations. The well-established charging environment, including the availability of charging facilities at highway service areas (SAs) and in all towns and townships, is also a major factor.

Hainan Province is designated as a national "Clean Energy Priority Development Model Zone," and the provincial government has implemented preferential measures such as providing subsidies for the purchase, replacement, and charging of new energy vehicles. As a result, the adoption has progressed to the point where new energy vehicles accounted for approximately 63% of new cars sold in 2025.

According to the article, experts point out that "Hainan Province's initiatives will not immediately spread throughout China." However, if the initiatives in Hainan are successful, they will serve as a model case for the Chinese government's goal of vehicle electrification, and in the future, similar policies may be gradually introduced starting from regions with high charging infrastructure and NEV adoption rates, such as Guangdong Province and Shanghai Municipality.