What was the last year for carburetors?
In gasoline-powered passenger cars in the United States, carburetors effectively disappeared after 1990; fuel injection had become standard by the early 1990s.
Beyond cars, carburetors lingered in aviation, marine engines, small engines and some motorcycles, meaning there isn’t a single universal "last year." This article surveys the timelines across major sectors to explain where carburetors persisted and where they disappeared.
Automotive transition: cars and light trucks
Here is a concise snapshot of the automotive transition for passenger cars and light trucks.
- The United States: The last model year for new light-duty vehicles with carburetors was effectively 1990; electronic fuel injection (EFI) had become the standard by the early 1990s.
- Europe and other markets followed a similar trajectory, with EFI becoming standard in most new cars by the early 1990s.
- Exceptions existed for certain high‑performance or niche vehicles, as well as some off‑road or agricultural equipment, where carburetors persisted into the mid‑ to late‑1990s.
In short, for consumer automobiles, carburetors were largely phased out in the early 1990s, though regional differences and niche applications meant some carbureted vehicles lingered a bit longer in certain markets.
Carburetors in sectors beyond cars
Carburetors remained common in sectors where emissions constraints and cost pressures differed, notably aviation, marine, and small engines. The last year varies by sector and use case.
General aviation piston engines
In aviation, carburetors persist due to simplicity, robustness, and cost advantages for many light, piston‑engine aircraft. Fuel‑injected options exist, but carbs remain widespread in older and training aircraft.
- Carbureted engines power a large portion of trainer airframes and legacy fleets, particularly in the general aviation segment.
- There are fuel‑injected alternatives (IO/IO-IO variants), but certification and maintenance ecosystems still support carburetors in many aircraft.
- The aviation sector tends to balance reliability, weight, and cost when selecting fuel delivery; carbs meet those needs for many users.
Overall, aviation shows a longer tail on carburetor use, with carbureted engines remaining common in many in‑service aircraft decades after the automotive shift.
Marine and outboard engines
Outboard and inboard marine engines reflect a mixed landscape: newer models increasingly use EFI, but carburetors are still present on some fleets and in markets with different emission requirements or budget constraints.
- Older and some budget marine engines continue to rely on carburetors, especially where maintenance infrastructure favors simplicity.
- EFI and electronic marine fuel systems are common on newer boats for improved cold-starts and emissions control.
- Fuel quality, maintenance practices, and regional regulations influence the choice between carburetor and EFI in marine contexts.
In the marine sector, carburetors remain in use for certain models and markets, though EFI is increasingly standard on new equipment.
Small engines, lawn equipment and generators
The realm of small engines and outdoor power equipment has long depended on carburetors for their simplicity and low cost, though more sophisticated options exist in some lines.
- Most budget and older small engines (lawn mowers, chainsaws, generators) continue to use carburetors.
- Some newer or premium models incorporate electronic controls or fuel metering, but carburetors remain widely used in this sector.
Summary: In the small-engine market, carburetors persist as a practical solution for many applications, even as higher‑end or newer designs move toward electronic metering.
Motorcycles and other on‑road two‑wheelers
Motorcycle and scooter markets have largely shifted to electronic fuel injection, but carburetors still appear on some models, particularly in budget or classic-styled bikes or in markets with different regulatory regimes.
- Most new motorcycles globally now use EFI, improving performance and emissions compliance.
- Carburetors continue on certain models aimed at price-sensitive buyers or enthusiasts seeking classic characteristics.
Conclusion: The motorcycle sector has largely moved to EFI, but carburetors persist on niche models and in some regional segments.
Why the shift happened
Several converging factors drove the move away from carburetors in its core markets. Emissions regulations in the 1980s and 1990s pushed manufacturers to improve combustion control and monitoring, which EFI could deliver more consistently than carburetors. EFI also offers better cold-start performance, fuel economy, and adaptability to different fuels and altitudes. Advances in sensors, computer control, and manufacturing made fuel injection increasingly affordable, accelerating the transition across vehicle types and markets.
Summary
The era of universal carburetors ended in the automotive sector around the early 1990s in most parts of the world, with fuel injection becoming standard for new cars and light trucks. Other sectors—general aviation, marine, small engines, and motorcycles—retained carburetors much longer, reflecting different priorities and regulatory landscapes. Today, carburetors are largely a specialty or legacy technology outside mainstream automobiles, though they remain relevant for maintenance, restoration, and certain budget-minded applications. The last year, therefore, depends on the sector you're looking at: cars largely settled by the early 1990s, while aviation and other industries lingered on longer in various forms.
