Beginning today, December 8th, electric vehicles (EVs) will be given green number plates, with the Government suggesting the move could unlock incentives for drivers and fleets. The number plates bear a green coloured block where we are used to seeing the UK or EU identifier which can be combined with the union flag and national identifiers already permitted by the regulations.
The new number plates, which can be retro-fitted to any existing vehicles, including cars, vans, buses, HGVs, taxis and motorcycles as long as they emit no CO2 emissions at the tailpipe, received the go-ahead from ministers in June.
Transport Minister Rachel Maclean believes that EV operators could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking and cost-free entry into zero-emission zones and says that the green number plates build on last month’s announcement to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK by 2030.
She said: “Not only will green number plates raise awareness of the increasing number of cleaner vehicles on our roads; they could also unlock a number of incentives for drivers.
“It’s clear there has never been a better time to make the switch to a zero-emission vehicle.”
A survey by Nissan suggests that a third of motorists in the UK would be more likely to buy an EV, because of the new green number plates.
Managing director of Nissan Motor GB, Andrew Humberstone, said: “The age of the electric vehicle is now approaching rapidly and these new green registration plates will soon be a common sight on our roads.”
The Nissan survey, carried out by respected pollsters YouGov, found that with the introduction of green number plates, and the prospect of further incentives linked to EV ownership, 32% of people would be more likely to buy an electric car.
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