Can Hybrid Vehicles Obtain New Energy License Plates?
2 Answers
Not all hybrid vehicles are eligible for green license plates, as they are categorized into plug-in hybrids and range-extended hybrids. In China, plug-in hybrids are classified under the new energy vehicle category, which qualifies them for green license plates. Not only can these vehicles obtain green plates, but they are also eligible for certain national subsidy policies. Hybrid vehicles can indeed obtain new energy license plates: 1. Whether a hybrid vehicle can be issued a green new energy license plate depends on the vehicle's technical parameters and local regulations in the region where the vehicle is registered; 2. Currently, in Beijing, only pure electric vehicles are eligible for green new energy license plates, while in other regions, most hybrid vehicles that meet technical requirements can obtain green plates; 3. According to the requirements of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, hybrid vehicles must meet the following technical criteria to be classified as new energy vehicles: (1) They must be plug-in hybrid vehicles; (2) The vehicle must have an external charging interface; (3) The vehicle must have a pure electric driving mode; (4) In pure electric driving mode, the vehicle must have a pure electric range of at least 50 kilometers.
I've come across many people asking whether hybrid cars can get new energy license plates. Simply put, it depends on the model. In China, regular hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius cannot obtain new energy green plates because policies stipulate that new energy vehicles must be purely electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicles. Plug-in hybrids such as the BYD DM-i can qualify, as they have longer electric-only ranges. These plates come with many benefits, like exemption from purchase tax and no license lottery in some cities, saving a lot of money. I recommend checking specific policies before buying a car, as requirements vary significantly across regions—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen all have different rules. You wouldn’t want to spend money only to find out your car doesn’t qualify. Keep an eye on updates from the DMV website, as new energy policies are evolving. More hybrid models may be included in the future, but for now, most still rely on plug-in versions.
