Can I still participate in the license plate lottery after owning a new energy vehicle?

[LeLucia]

After owning a new energy vehicle, you cannot participate in the license plate lottery. Holders of new energy vehicle quotas can only update their quotas for new energy vehicles when renewing, similarly, holders of regular passenger vehicle quotas can only update their quotas for regular passenger vehicles. The two types of quotas cannot be interchanged. If a new energy vehicle owner wishes to switch to a regular passenger vehicle, they must first sell or scrap the new energy vehicle under their name to meet the application condition of having no passenger vehicles registered under their name, and then reapply for the regular passenger vehicle license plate lottery. New energy vehicles refer to vehicles that use unconventional vehicle fuels as power sources or conventional vehicle fuels with new on-board power devices, integrating advanced technologies in vehicle power control and driving, resulting in vehicles with advanced technical principles, new technologies, and new structures.

[OCarlos]

Last time I talked about this with a friend, he bought an electric car in Beijing and got the license plate directly without going through the lottery. But later, when he wanted to apply for a fuel car quota, the vehicle management office told him it wasn’t possible because the policy states that one person can only have one car purchase quota. Many big cities now control the number of vehicles this way to prevent congestion. From my own experience, if you already have a new energy vehicle, I suggest checking the latest local regulations. Shenzhen might be slightly more lenient—you can apply, but the chances are slim. Shanghai has a distinction between blue and green plates: blue plates are for new energy vehicles only, while green plates are for fuel cars, and they can’t be mixed. In short, trying to get a fuel car license through the lottery is pretty much hopeless, so don’t waste your time standing in line for nothing.

[DeJosie]

From a policy perspective, whether you can participate in the license plate lottery after owning a new energy vehicle depends on your city. For example, Beijing implements strict purchase restrictions, with new energy vehicle quotas issued separately. Once obtained, you cannot apply for a gasoline vehicle quota. I know Hangzhou allows transfers but with many restrictions, while Shanghai adopts a points-based management system where new energy vehicle owners will have their eligibility deducted. The key point is that the individual quota limit is set at one vehicle, aiming to address environmental concerns and traffic congestion. I recommend downloading the official vehicle management office app or checking their website, entering your information to see the remaining opportunities, rather than relying on unofficial rumors.

[MiguelRose]

I heard from the car dealer that in most places, if you buy a new energy vehicle, you can get the license plate directly without going through a lottery. However, it's much harder to get a fuel vehicle license through the lottery, as usually only one car quota is allowed per person. For example, in Guangzhou, someone tried to apply for a second lottery but was rejected because the policy is very strict. My advice is not to bother, just focus on driving or consider a replacement to avoid wasting time at the vehicle management office.

[DelSkylar]

As a new driver, I found it quite convenient to get a license plate for my electric car when I first bought it. However, my neighbor mentioned the issue of the lottery for gasoline car plates. When I inquired at the 4S store, they said that once you use a new energy vehicle (NEV) quota, you lose the eligibility for the gasoline car plate lottery, especially in cities with traffic restrictions like Hangzhou. Many people in WeChat groups complain about the lack of hope and suggest keeping an eye on updates to local regulations or online application portals, as there might be a tiny window of opportunity, but don't hold your breath.