Can Blue License Plate Quota Be Retained When Applying for Green License Plate?
3 Answers
Yes, the blue license plate can be retained. Currently, you can use the existing blue license plate quota to apply for the new plate. Additional Information: Blue License Plate: Features white characters and borders on a blue background. It is issued to trucks with a total weight below 4,500 kg (excluding), vehicles with seating capacity of 20 or fewer passengers, and vehicles with a body length under 6 meters (excluding). Blue plates are designated for small motor vehicles. Green License Plate: Vehicles with green plates are new energy vehicles. New energy vehicles mainly include three types: pure electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. The use of green plates for new energy vehicles aligns with their eco-friendly characteristics and facilitates easy identification of these vehicles.
When I changed cars before, I tried using a gasoline car quota to buy a new energy vehicle, but the quota couldn't retain its original gasoline car status. Under urban purchase restriction policies, such as in Beijing or Shanghai, if you use a blue license plate quota obtained through a lottery to buy a green license plate new energy vehicle, that quota will be directly bound to the new car and become a green license plate quota. This means you can no longer use the blue license plate for your old car. Some places allow retaining the old quota through family member transfers, but the procedures are complicated and require going to the vehicle management office for the transfer. I recommend checking the local transportation bureau's website in advance to avoid making the same mistake I did and regretting it later. Although new energy vehicles are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, the quota conversion may affect future switches back to gasoline cars, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
Regarding indicator conversion, a friend of mine in Shenzhen encountered this issue. When applying for a green license plate for a new energy vehicle using a blue license plate indicator, the fuel vehicle indicator automatically becomes invalid and is reclaimed by the system, rendering it unusable. Rules vary by city; for example, Guangzhou is more lenient, allowing applications for a refund but with long waiting times. I believe the key is to check local purchase restriction policies. While new energy vehicles save on fuel costs and offer attractive subsidies, losing the blue license plate indicator means one less option. If you ever want to switch back to a fuel vehicle, you'd need to participate in the lottery or auction again, which consumes both time and money. It's advisable to research policies online or consult dealers for the latest details to avoid impulsive decisions that could hurt your wallet. Before switching vehicles, evaluate your driving habits—pure electric vehicles are convenient for city commutes but may be limited for long-distance travel compared to fuel vehicles.
