Can Blue License Plates Be Used on New Energy Vehicles?
2 Answers
Blue license plates cannot be used on new energy vehicles. New energy vehicles can only be registered with new energy license plates (green plates). Green plates are exclusively for new energy vehicles, symbolizing environmental protection. New energy vehicles refer to automobiles that utilize unconventional fuels as power sources or conventional fuels with new onboard power devices, integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and driving systems, resulting in advanced technical principles, new technologies, and innovative structures. Similar to traditional fuel vehicle license plates, new energy vehicle license plates can be used for a lifetime as long as they comply with national laws and regulations. However, unlike traditional fuel vehicle license plates, new energy vehicle license plates cannot be transferred separately; they must be transferred along with the vehicle during ownership changes. After the license plate has been issued for more than three years, the owner is allowed to change vehicles while retaining the original license plate. Blue-plate vehicles refer to automobiles with blue license plates, typically featuring white characters and borders on a blue background. These plates are issued to trucks with a total weight below 4,500 kg, vehicles with fewer than 20 passengers, or vehicles with a body length under 6 meters. According to national regulations on new energy vehicle license plates: If a vehicle is classified as a new energy vehicle, only new energy license plates can be issued during registration or transfer processes based on the vehicle's attributes. Blue plates cannot be issued for such vehicles. For new energy vehicles already registered with blue plates, owners can continue using the blue plates or choose to apply for a new energy vehicle license plate.
I also thought that the blue license plate of a fuel-powered car could be directly used on a new energy vehicle, but I found out it's not possible after asking at the DMV. The staff told me that new energy vehicles must use the special green license plates, while blue plates are only for fuel-powered cars. However, there is a workaround: you can retain the blue plate number and apply to transfer it to a new energy green plate, so you don't have to change the number. I remember my neighbor did this last year when they changed cars—the number stayed the same, but the plate color turned green. For the specific procedure, you need to bring the vehicle registration certificate and ID card to the DMV to apply for the indicator conversion. It's recommended to call ahead and check local policies to avoid a wasted trip.
