Do hybrid vehicles use green or blue license plates?
2 Answers
Hybrid vehicles use blue license plates. If it is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), it requires a green new energy license plate. For conventional hybrid electric vehicles, a standard blue license plate is used. Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Hybrid electric vehicles offer high fuel efficiency and superior driving performance. These vehicles use a fuel-powered engine, but with the assistance of an electric motor during startup and acceleration, fuel consumption is reduced. Compared to vehicles of similar size, hybrid electric vehicles have lower fuel costs. Types of Hybrid Vehicles: There are three main types of hybrid vehicles: plug-in hybrids, conventional hybrids, and range-extended hybrids. Among these, only plug-in hybrids are eligible for green license plates, while other hybrid types are excluded and cannot use green plates. Additionally, in Beijing, plug-in hybrid vehicles are classified as fuel-powered vehicles. Although they use green plates, they are still subject to the same traffic restrictions as conventional fuel vehicles. This is due to local protection policies, leading to some unique exceptions.
Whether a hybrid car gets a green license plate or a blue one depends on whether it can be plugged in to charge. As someone who cares about the environment and has driven a friend’s hybrid, I learned the distinction is clear: plug-in hybrids (like the BYD Tang) that can be charged at home qualify for green plates because policies require them to run a certain distance on pure electric power, saving fuel and reducing pollution while enjoying benefits like tax exemptions and no driving restrictions. Regular hybrids, like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which don’t plug in but rely on fuel and energy recovery, only get blue plates, falling under traditional fuel vehicle rules. When choosing a car, I recommend checking the model’s label—green plates are more cost-effective and better for the air, reducing carbon emissions.
