Can Blue License Plates Be Used on New Energy Vehicles?

[AdelynLynn]

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.

[JeffreyLee]

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.

[DeAubree]

Having just researched this issue, blue license plates and new energy green plates are two separate systems and cannot be mixed. New energy vehicles, whether pure electric or plug-in hybrid, must use green plates, which contain a D or F letter to distinguish the model. However, blue plate owners switching to new energy vehicles get a benefit: they can apply to retain their original number and convert it to a green plate. For example, my family's old car had a Jing A blue plate, and when switching to a new energy vehicle, we successfully retained the number. It's important to note that if the blue plate hasn't been held for at least one year, it cannot be retained, and any traffic violations on the original vehicle must be resolved before the transfer process can be completed.

[SamuelLynn]

A friend at the vehicle management office mentioned that blue license plates absolutely cannot be directly used on new energy vehicles for road use, as it constitutes a license plate mismatch. New energy vehicles must use green license plates, a dedicated license plate system introduced by the state in 2016. However, if you have a blue license plate vehicle quota, you can go through the vehicle renewal process: after scrapping or transferring out the old vehicle, use the original quota to apply for a new energy vehicle, while transferring the blue license plate number to a green one. The process is similar across different regions, involving filling out an application form and vehicle inspection, and you can receive the new green license plate with the old number in about a week. This policy is actually quite friendly to long-time vehicle owners.

[ReaganDella]

As a new energy vehicle owner sharing experience: My BYD Han has a green license plate, but the number is the same as my previous fuel-powered car. The policy allows the transfer of blue plate numbers to new energy vehicles, but the license plate background color must be changed to green. When I went through the formalities, the staff said this is called number inheritance. The process is to first cancel the original blue plate quota, then use the new energy vehicle purchase quota to register, and the required materials are just ID card and quota certificate. Green plates also have advantages in cities with traffic restrictions, such as exemption from lottery or unrestricted driving, which blue plates don't have.

[LaPaisley]

When I bought the car, I specifically asked the 4S dealership: blue license plates cannot be directly used for new energy vehicles, they must be replaced with green plates. However, the ability to retain the original number is quite practical—my colleague successfully transferred his blue plate ending with 88 to a green plate. There are three key points to note in the process: first, the original blue plate must have been used for over a year; second, the application must be submitted within six months after the original vehicle is transferred; third, green plates are larger in size than blue plates, so the mounting position needs to be adjusted. The new plates cannot be obtained on the spot, and temporary plates will be used for a few days as a transition. Nowadays, there are more and more green plates on the road, and the policy is quite user-friendly.