What year did cars stop having carburetors?
In practical terms, cars stopped having carburetors in the early 1990s for the vast majority of new vehicles. By model year 1990–1991, electronic fuel injection (EFI) had become standard on most mainstream cars in the United States, Europe, and Japan, and carburetors were largely phased out in new passenger cars by the mid-1990s. Some exceptions persisted in certain markets and for specific engines, but the carburetor’s era had effectively ended in modern automotive production.
A timeline of the transition
The following timeline traces the key milestones in the replacement of carburetors by electronic fuel injection and related fuel-management systems.
- 1960s–1970s: Carburetors dominate most passenger cars, while early electronic fuel injection prototypes begin to appear on select models.
- 1980s: Electronic fuel injection and multi-point (port) injection become common on new cars in the United States and Europe, driven by tightening emissions standards and computer control.
- 1990: By this point, most new U.S. cars use EFI, and the carburetor’s share in new passenger cars shrinks rapidly worldwide.
- Early–mid 1990s: Carburetors disappear from virtually all new cars in developed markets; a few models and regions still rely on carburetion for affordability or legacy reasons.
- 2000s and beyond: Carburetors remain in use mainly on motorcycles, small engines, lawn equipment, some aviation engines, and a handful of legacy or budget vehicles; modern mainstream passenger cars rely on electronic fuel injection.
The shift was gradual and uneven by region, but the trend toward EFI accelerated through the 1980s and culminated in the 1990s across most major markets.
Regional variations
Different regions moved at different speeds, and a few markets kept carburetors on a minority of vehicles for a time longer than others. Here are broad patterns observed during the transition.
- United States and Canada: A rapid switch to EFI in the 1980s and early 1990s; by the early to mid-1990s, virtually all new cars used injection, with carburetors relegated to niche or non-mainstream applications.
- Europe: Similar trajectory to North America, with EFI becoming standard on most new cars by the mid-1990s; some rural or budget models may have lingered slightly longer in specific markets.
- Japan and other developed markets: EFI adoption completed in the early to mid-1990s for most models; carburetors persisted a little longer in certain low-cost or kei-car segments before being phased out.
- Developing markets: Cost pressures and infrastructure factors meant carburetors remained in production for some models into the mid-1990s or later, particularly in affordable or utility-focused vehicles.
Overall, the global shift toward electronic fuel injection happened over roughly a decade, with widespread EFI adoption by the mid-1990s and near-total replacement of carburetors in new passenger cars by the turn of the century.
What still uses carburetors today?
Today, carburetors are mostly found outside mainstream new-car production. They remain common in: small engines (lawn mowers, generators, chainsaws), motorcycles in certain regions, some vintage or classic cars, and a portion of light aircraft engines. In aviation and certain hobbyist spheres, carburetors continue to be used for specific performance and maintenance reasons, though many modern aircraft now rely on more advanced fuel systems.
Summary
The decline of the carburetor was a defining shift in automotive engineering. By the early 1990s, most new cars worldwide were equipped with electronic fuel injection, and by the end of the decade carburetors were largely a thing of the past in mainstream passenger vehicles. Today, carburetors survive mainly in non-automotive contexts and in very limited, cost-sensitive segments of the market.
When did cars last have carburetors?
Since the 1990s, carburetors have been largely replaced by fuel injection for cars and trucks, but carburetors are still used by some small engines (e.g. lawnmowers, generators, and concrete mixers) and motorcycles. In addition, they are still widely used on piston-engine–driven aircraft.
What year did they switch from carburetor to fuel injection?
Cars switched from carburetors to fuel injection primarily in the late 1980s and early 1990s, driven by stricter emissions standards and the need for better fuel efficiency. While fuel injection had existed for decades, the widespread adoption of modern, computer-controlled systems replaced carburetors as the standard by the 1990s.
The transition timeline
- Late 1970s: The transition began, with some manufacturers introducing fuel injection systems to meet early emissions and efficiency requirements.
- 1980s: Electronic fuel injection became more widespread, initially as a bridge technology like throttle-body injection in some models, while other engines retained carburetors.
- Late 1980s - Early 1990s: The final shift to fuel injection occurred, with carburetors becoming increasingly rare in new passenger vehicles.
- ~1990: US EPA mandates essentially ended the carburetor's use in new automotive applications.
- 1990s: Carburetors were still used in some industrial or off-road machinery for a few more years and in some specific car models, such as the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria, which was the last car in the US sold with a carburetor.
Why the switch happened
- Emissions: Fuel injection systems, controlled by an engine control unit (ECU), could more precisely manage fuel delivery, which was essential to meet increasingly strict government regulations on pollution.
- Efficiency: The precise control allowed for better fuel economy and performance compared to the less accurate mechanical carburetors.
- Reliability and performance: Fuel injection offered more consistent and reliable performance, smoother operation, and better power delivery.
When did carbureted engines go away?
1994
The auto industry eventually phased out carburetors on new vehicles by 1994.
What was the last car built with a carburetor?
The last carbureted car sold new in the United States was the 1994 Isuzu Pickup. This model featured a basic 2.3-liter engine, rear-wheel drive, and a five-speed manual transmission that was equipped with a carburetor.
- The switch from carburetors to fuel injection was driven by stricter emissions regulations and the superior performance, efficiency, and reliability of fuel injection systems.
- Other models from around the same time were also among the last to use carburetors, including certain 1991 Ford Crown Victoria police interceptors and 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneers.
