Ahead of September’s number plate change, it’s expected that there will be a boom in green number plates. These green number plates are used purely on zero emission electric vehicles (EVs) to separate them from regular combustion engine cars and hybrids.
While some might not know about the green number plates, this growth is positive news for the electric car industry and the planet, as drivers make the switch to zero emissions vehicles.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are forecasting that registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registrations will rise by an impressive 59 percent in 2021. This pushes the market share of electric vehicles up to 9.5 percent, making one in 10 cars electric.
In a recent Auto Trader car buyer survey, when asked if drivers were to buy an electric car, would they want a green number plate, 50 percent said yes. Some didn’t know about the green plate but once explained this figure rose to 61 percent saying they would be proud to display one on their car.
Rory Reid, Auto Trader journalist, said: “Since green plates were launched in December 2020 as an easy identifier for zero-emission vehicles, pick up of these has started to grow. As they are not yet compulsory, not all zero-emissions cars will have them, especially if they were on the roads before 2020.
“If you have a fully zero-emissions car, sorry hybrids aren’t included, then you can apply to the DVLA for a green number plate. And if you’re buying a brand new electric car ready for the September plate change, then you can ask the dealership to supply one instead of a regular number plate.”
