Are Hybrid Vehicles Exempt from Traffic Restrictions?
2 Answers
Hybrid vehicles are subject to traffic restrictions. Only pure electric new energy vehicles or plug-in hybrid models that meet the national standards for new energy vehicles are exempt. Additionally, new energy vehicle license plates are categorized based on vehicle type, with the letter "D" representing pure electric vehicles and "F" representing non-pure electric vehicles. The primary energy source for hybrid vehicles remains gasoline or diesel, with electricity used only during vehicle startup or low-speed, short-distance travel. It can be said that the distance covered by pure electric power is very limited, and these vehicles cannot be charged externally. Plug-in hybrid vehicles have relatively larger batteries, can be charged externally, and can operate in pure electric mode. Once the battery is depleted, they switch to hybrid mode and recharge the battery as needed.
I just checked the policies across different regions, and the restrictions on hybrid vehicles depend on the specific city. For example, in Beijing, only pure electric vehicles can drive all day, while plug-in hybrids still have to follow the fuel vehicle restrictions. However, Chengdu is much more friendly, as hybrids with green license plates are directly exempt from restrictions. Before buying a hybrid, it's best to check the local traffic management website or ask the salesperson at the 4S store directly. Policies change every year—last year, Chongqing removed plug-in hybrids from the unrestricted list. To me, the safest bet is to look at the license plate color—green plates generally get better treatment.
