Can Hybrid Electric Vehicles Get Blue License Plates?

[LeLaura]

Some hybrid electric vehicles can get blue license plates. Hybrid vehicles are divided into three types: plug-in hybrid, range-extended hybrid, and conventional hybrid. Plug-in hybrid and range-extended hybrid vehicles get green plates, while conventional hybrid vehicles get blue plates. Plug-in hybrid vehicles are different from conventional hybrid vehicles. Plug-in hybrids have higher-capacity power batteries, and these batteries can be charged using an external power source. Conventional hybrid vehicles combine fuel (gasoline or diesel) and electric power, using an electric motor as an auxiliary power source to assist the engine in driving the car. This represents a complementary technology that leverages the strengths of both systems. There are two main qualifications for applying for a new energy vehicle license plate: First, the company must be registered in China and have sufficient self-owned capital and financing capabilities to match the project investment. Second, the applying company can only produce "pure electric passenger vehicles," which include pure electric and range-extended (series hybrid with external charging capability) passenger vehicles that meet relevant national standards. Only series hybrid passenger vehicles with external charging capability are eligible for green license plates. Conventional hybrid vehicles do not meet this requirement. Conventional hybrid vehicles typically have more than two motors, with the electric motor and internal combustion engine working in a complementary manner. The characteristic of these vehicles is that they operate under conditions where each system excels, achieving fuel efficiency without the need for external charging. For example, when stopping at a traffic light, the engine automatically shuts off, and only the electric motor maintains necessary power to save fuel. When releasing the accelerator or applying the brakes, excess engine energy and friction energy from the brake pads are recovered and stored in capacitors. Therefore, conventional hybrid vehicles cannot be considered true new energy vehicles; strictly speaking, they are only classified as energy-efficient vehicles.