Hainan targets 2030 ban on new gasoline vehicle sales, leads China's EV push

Hainan province has set a 2030 deadline to ban sales of new gasoline-powered vehicles, becoming China's first region to do so. The policy aims for new energy vehicles to make up 45% of total vehicle stock by 2030, up from 23.75% in 2025. Already, NEVs accounted for 62.9% of new car sales in 2025, with monthly penetration hitting 74.5% in April 2026. The island's tropical climate avoids cold-weather battery issues, and its fuel tax structure gives EVs a cost edge: gasoline in Hainan costs 9.89 yuan per liter versus 8.74 in Shanghai. Supporting infrastructure includes a unified charging network with 73,000 outlets, 25-minute charging circles in major cities, and pilot smart charging stations that adjust to grid demand. Hainan is also testing vehicle-to-grid systems and fuel-cell trucks. Experts say the model could influence other regions like Guangdong and Shanghai. The move is part of Hainan's broader carbon peaking plan and shifts cargo from roads to rails.