Can Nissan e-Power Get a Green License Plate?

[ColinDella]

Nissan e-Power cannot get a green license plate. According to relevant national regulations, only pure electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles meet the criteria for green license plates. The Nissan Sylphy e-Power is classified as a hybrid electric vehicle and does not qualify for a green license plate. The Nissan Sylphy e-Power is equipped with a 1.2L engine and a drive motor, where the engine does not directly drive the vehicle. The system operates on the principle of an extended-range hybrid, where the engine generates electricity to power the motor, which then drives the vehicle. However, to reduce fuel consumption, it uses a small battery pack that cannot be charged via plug-in charging and relies solely on refueling. Therefore, the Nissan Sylphy e-Power is not considered a new energy vehicle in the true sense but rather a special type of hybrid electric vehicle.

[TravisRose]

I only found out about this after checking the policy documents: domestically produced e-POWER is classified as a range-extended hybrid, where the engine only generates electricity and does not drive the wheels. After the 2023 adjustments to the new energy vehicle catalog, such cars can no longer obtain pure green license plates in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen that have license plate restrictions. At first, I was puzzled why my neighbor's Sylphy e-POWER had a blue license plate, and the salesperson vaguely said it was due to 'advanced technology.' In reality, the policy is very strict—pure electric range must exceed 43 kilometers to qualify for a green plate, while the e-POWER's pure electric range is only about 5 kilometers. However, it's still exempt from purchase tax, and the daily fuel consumption is indeed low, making it a great option for commuting in third-tier cities.

[DePaige]

Last time I accompanied a friend to buy a car, we encountered this exact situation. The salesperson touted it as 'an electric vehicle that doesn't need charging and can get green license plates,' only to be contradicted by the vehicle management office. Nowadays, range-extended vehicles are classified under the fuel vehicle category and are issued standard blue license plates. I specifically checked the 'Recommended Models Catalog for New Energy Vehicle Promotion and Application,' and Nissan's e-Power isn't listed. But honestly, the advantage of these cars lies in their fuel efficiency; my friend's car uses only 4 liters per 100 km in the city, with a small fuel tank meaning fewer trips to the gas station, making it especially suitable for older neighborhoods where charging isn't convenient.

[TheoAnn]

Technical perspective on positioning: The e-Power engine does not participate in driving at all, essentially making it an electric vehicle with a gasoline generator. However, policies only consider battery-powered driving capability, and its small 2 kWh battery can only run for a few kilometers, far below the threshold for green license plates. Yet, it's much more convenient than plug-in hybrids, as you don't need to find charging stations—just fill up the tank and you're ready for long trips. During last week's test drive, I found that flooring the accelerator actually delivers the unique push-back sensation characteristic of electric motors, making it quite suitable for family use.