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Green number plates for electric vehicles

The Government is proposing that green number plates are to be used to signify the greenest and cleanest cars and vans on the road
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11 September 2018

IF you drive an ultra low emission car, you could be eligible for a green number plate to demonstrate your car’s clean emissions.

That’s what the Government is proposing.

It would apply to clean cars, vans, and taxis. The Government says its new plans are to promote awareness of ultra-low emission vehicles.

Already such special plates are in use in countries such as Norway, Canada, and China. By making them available for green vehicles like electric and hydrogen cars is thought to encourage take-up among drivers.

It could also help electric vehicles access bus or low emission vehicle lanes, electric charging bays or ultra-low-emission-zones.

The plans are part of a forthcoming government consultation announced today (9 September 2018) which will seek views on whether green plates could work in the UK, and if so, what they should look like.

Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said:

The UK has a proud history of leading the world in technological advances and that is no different for ultra low emission vehicles, where we are at the forefront of innovation and testing.

This new cleaner, greener transport has the potential to bring with it cleaner air, a better environment and stronger economies for countries around the world.

Adding a green badge of honour to these new clean vehicles is a brilliant way of helping increase awareness of their growing popularity in the UK, and might just encourage people to think about how one could fit into their own travel routine.

Elisabeth Costa, Director at The Behavioural Insights Team, said:

We support efforts to increase awareness of the numbers of clean vehicles on our roads. Simple changes based on behavioural science can have a big impact.

Green plates would be more noticeable to road users, and this increased attraction can help normalise the idea of clean vehicles, highlighting the changing social norms around vehicle ownership.

The consultation will consider potential designs for the plates, which could include entirely green on the front, back or both sides of the vehicle, or a green symbol.

The eye-catching plates to UK vehicles in the next few years.

The announcement was made ahead of the UK hosting the world’s first Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in Birmingham (September 11-12, 2018).

Visit here if you search for individual plates options. 

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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