EU May Ban Gasoline Rental Cars by 2030: What This Means for Travelers and the Auto Industry

If you’re planning a European road trip in the next decade, get ready to plug in. While the EU’s well-known ban on new gas and diesel car sales for private buyers is scheduled for 2035, a new proposal could force rental fleets to go electric by 2030—a full five years earlier.

According to a report by German newspaper Bild, the European Commission is drafting a regulation that would prevent major fleet operators—such as Sixt, Europcar, and other large companies—from purchasing any new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles starting in 2030. After that, all new fleet cars would need to be electric.

Although the EU has not officially confirmed the details, it has acknowledged that new vehicle regulations for fleets are in development. If implemented, this policy would cause a rapid shift in rental car offerings across Europe. Rental companies typically replace their vehicles every 1–2 years, meaning by 2032, finding a gasoline-powered car to rent could become extremely difficult.

Currently, electric vehicles (EVs) represent a small fraction of rental fleets. They're often more expensive to rent, and many travelers remain hesitant due to concerns about charging infrastructure and range anxiety. EVs also come with higher repair costs for even minor damage, increasing operating costs for rental companies.

However, this proposed regulation goes far beyond rental counters. Fleet sales account for 60% of new car registrations in the EU, and rental companies alone make up about 20% of that figure. By pushing this sector to adopt EVs five years ahead of the public, the EU could accelerate the EV transition industry-wide.

Here's why it matters:

Automakers might reduce or stop production of gasoline models if fleet demand disappears.

Used car markets could suffer from a shortage of affordable, recent gas cars.

Auto industry workers, particularly those in engine and parts manufacturing, could face a faster-than-expected transition.

The rental car policy could act as a “backdoor EV mandate”, reshaping the European car market long before 2035 arrives.

For travelers, that means one thing: whether you’re touring Tuscany or cruising the Autobahn, your next rental car might be electric—ready or not.