Can I Buy a New Energy Vehicle with a Regular License Plate Obtained Through Lottery?

[MacEthan]

The license plate obtained through lottery can be used on new energy vehicles. The application conditions for new energy vehicles are the same as those for regular indicators. Based on the principle of "allocating indicators free of charge through lottery," a separate "lottery pool" will be established. If the number of applicants is less than the quota for new energy passenger vehicle indicators in the current period, the indicators will be directly allocated. If the number of applicants exceeds the quota for new energy passenger vehicle indicators in the current period, the indicators will be allocated through lottery. Notes for new energy vehicle license plate registration are as follows: Once a new energy license plate is obtained, you can no longer participate in the lottery for fuel vehicle license plates. Only models listed in the latest batch of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's "Recommended Catalog of New Energy Vehicles" can be registered. The new energy license plate will be scrapped along with the vehicle. New energy vehicles cannot be transferred or sold within three years. License plates for hybrid and pure electric vehicles are not interchangeable. License plates starting with the letter "D" represent pure electric vehicles, while those starting with "F" represent non-pure electric vehicles (generally referring to hybrids and plug-in hybrids). Lost license plates cannot be reissued. New energy vehicles include pure electric vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, hydrogen engine vehicles, etc. Details are as follows: Pure Electric Vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicles, BEV) use a single battery as the energy storage power source. They rely on the battery to provide power to the motor, which drives the vehicle. The rechargeable batteries used in pure electric vehicles mainly include lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and lithium-ion batteries, which supply power to the vehicle. Additionally, the battery stores electrical energy to drive the motor and ensure normal vehicle operation. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) have a main drive system composed of at least two individual drive systems that can operate simultaneously. The driving power of a hybrid vehicle mainly depends on its operating state: it can be provided by a single drive system or jointly by multiple drive systems. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) use hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, gasoline, etc., as reactants that combine with oxygen from the air in the presence of a catalyst to generate electricity, which powers the vehicle. Essentially, fuel cell vehicles are a type of electric vehicle, sharing many similarities in performance and design. They are classified separately because fuel cell vehicles convert chemical energy from hydrogen, methanol, natural gas, or gasoline into electricity, whereas pure electric vehicles rely on charging to replenish electrical energy. Hydrogen Powered Vehicles (HPV) primarily use hydrogen fuel cells as their energy source. They are the most environmentally friendly among new energy vehicles, achieving zero pollution and zero emissions. However, the production cost of hydrogen vehicles is high, exceeding that of traditional fuel vehicles by 20%, and the battery cost is also significant. Due to storage and transportation limitations, they are difficult to apply in practical production. Extended-Range Electric Vehicles (EREV) are similar to electric vehicles, using batteries to provide kinetic energy to the motor, which drives the vehicle. However, EREVs are equipped with a gasoline or diesel engine in the vehicle. When the battery level is too low, the driver can use this engine to recharge the battery.

[McVincent]

I remember the lottery policy distinguishes between conventional vehicles and new energy vehicles. If you win a conventional license plate quota, it can usually only be used to purchase traditional fuel-powered cars or some hybrid vehicles, not directly for pure electric vehicles. This design is implemented in major cities like Beijing to manage different vehicle quotas. If you win a conventional quota but want to buy a new energy vehicle, you must first give it up and then apply for a new energy vehicle quota, where the allocation is larger and the winning rate is higher. I've researched this myself—the application process for new energy vehicle quotas is straightforward, requiring only online submission of documents, and you can also enjoy government subsidies and tax reductions. When buying a car, choosing a new energy vehicle is more economical and environmentally friendly, saving on fuel costs in the long run and requiring easier maintenance. Taking advantage of the policy benefits, I recommend prioritizing the official channel to apply for a new energy vehicle quota—don’t miss the opportunity, as safety and compliance are most important.

[OMackenzie]

Last year, I won the regular license plate lottery and was thrilled, thinking I could buy an affordable electric car to save on fuel costs. However, when I consulted with car dealers, I found out that this type of plate couldn't be used for new energy vehicles (NEVs)—only for traditional fuel cars or plug-in hybrids. I immediately switched to applying for a new energy vehicle quota, which was processed quickly. My experience taught me: policies clearly separate regular plates for conventional vehicles. Don’t rush into buying a car; first, check the rules on your local traffic management bureau’s website or confirm with their hotline. Nowadays, NEVs are quite popular—charging is convenient and costs are low. If you win a regular plate, consider switching to apply for a new energy one instead—get your plate early and drive with peace of mind. Also, compare subsidies for different models to save a significant amount.