Will Fuel Vehicles Be Phased Out?

[ChristopherLee]

The claim that fuel vehicles will be phased out by 2025 actually originated from a meeting of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The average lifespan of fuel vehicles is between 10 to 15 years. Considering unrestricted usage would be within 10 years, even the last batch of fuel vehicles, based on average lifespan, would persist until 2035. During this period, they can still be used and will not be phased out. Introduction: The energy density of gaseous fuels is low. Natural gas vehicles carry less fuel, resulting in shorter driving distances compared to gasoline vehicles. Gaseous fuels occupy a certain volume in the combustible mixture within the cylinder (the volume occupied by liquid fuel in gasoline engine cylinders is negligible). Under the same cylinder working volume, less work is done when using natural gas as fuel. Conversion from Original Gasoline Engines: Most natural gas engines currently in use are converted from original gasoline engines. Therefore, when gasoline vehicles switch to natural gas, their power often decreases by about 10%-20%, leading to phenomena such as reduced climbing power and slower acceleration response, as reported by drivers. If diesel vehicles are converted to use natural gas in a "dual-fuel" mode, such phenomena do not occur, but the structure of the conversion components is more complex. Fuel System: Since current natural gas vehicles are modified based on original gasoline or diesel vehicles, most of the original gasoline or diesel fuel systems are retained. The addition of a natural gas fuel system, especially the gas tank, reduces the effective space of the original vehicle and also increases its own weight.

[Abel]

I personally believe the trend of fuel-powered vehicles eventually being replaced by electric vehicles is inevitable. Look at recent technological advancements: EV battery energy density improves year after year, doubling the range from 200 km to over 600 km is no longer a dream, and fast-charging technology can fully charge a battery in just half an hour—faster than refueling. Automotive giants like Tesla and BYD are investing heavily in smart driving and autonomous features, integrating these technologies to make driving safer and more efficient. Despite remaining challenges like reduced winter range and insufficient charging stations, new material developments are addressing these shortcomings. Once widespread adoption occurs, consumers will naturally embrace the new option. Market data shows surging EV sales and a constant stream of new models, accelerating the decline of fuel-powered cars. In the long run, just as smartphones replaced traditional mobile phones, electric vehicles will dominate future transportation.

[SkylarFitz]

From an environmental perspective, I believe fuel-powered vehicles will be gradually phased out under policy incentives. With the escalating global climate crisis, countries are tightening emission standards; the EU will ban the sale of new fuel-powered vehicles by 2035, while China has introduced new energy subsidies and green license plate policies, forcing automakers to shift toward electrification. After driving an electric vehicle myself, I clearly noticed fresher urban air with less exhaust smog, improving quality of life. Policies are not just empty talk—they influence market investments and consumer choices; the rise of the EV industry chain has driven rapid expansion of charging networks. Although there are transitional challenges like charging station installation issues or battery recycling concerns, technological advancements such as renewable energy integration are optimizing these aspects. Sustainability is an unstoppable trend, and fuel-powered vehicles will inevitably exit the stage if they fail to adapt.

[LaEliana]

From an economic perspective, after doing the math, I believe it's only a matter of time before electric vehicles replace fuel-powered cars. EVs have lower daily operating costs, with cheaper electricity and minimal maintenance requirements; whereas fuel cars face rising gasoline prices year after year and frequent costly repairs. Although EVs have a higher initial purchase price, subsidies enable faster payback periods. Government promotion of charging infrastructure has achieved high coverage rates in major cities, making charging convenient. The market is shifting: investors are enthusiastically chasing new energy stocks, and automakers like Volkswagen and GM are transitioning to electrification to maintain profits. The widening cost gap between electricity and fuel, coupled with volatile oil prices, is accelerating consumer adoption of EVs. While EV resale values remain slightly lower, the trend is improving. Overall, the economic advantages of fuel-powered vehicles are diminishing under this logic.