Do New Energy Vehicles Still Require a Lottery?
2 Answers
Whether a lottery is required for purchasing new energy vehicles depends on local regulations. Taking Beijing as an example, purchasing new energy vehicles in Beijing does not require a lottery but involves a waiting list. New energy vehicles refer to vehicles that use unconventional fuels as power sources (or conventional fuels with new onboard power devices) and integrate advanced technologies in power control and driving, resulting in vehicles with advanced technical principles, new technologies, and innovative structures. The supportive policies for purchasing and using new energy vehicles include: 1. Subsidies for new vehicle purchases. In addition to central government subsidies (commonly known as national subsidies), municipal subsidies equivalent to 50% of the central subsidy per vehicle are provided for new energy vehicles registered locally (commonly known as local subsidies). 2. New energy vehicles are exempt from traffic restrictions based on license plate tail numbers within the city. 3. Gradual phasing out of urban entry permits for fuel-powered freight vehicles over three years (i.e., progressively restricting fuel-powered freight vehicles from entering the city), while pure electric urban logistics distribution vehicles face no such restrictions. 4. New energy vehicles with valid licenses (or certificates) enjoy free parking for the first two hours in temporary roadside parking spots and public parking lots fully funded by the government. In park-and-ride (P+R) parking lots fully funded by the government, parking fees are halved from 7:00 to 19:00 daily. 5. New residential developments must allocate 100% of parking spaces with charging infrastructure installation conditions, with at least 10% already equipped. 6. Encouragement for power capacity expansion in existing residential areas. Grid expansion projects beyond the property boundary are to be constructed free of charge by the local power supply company, while those within the property boundary are the responsibility of the district (or county) government.
I just helped a friend with the new energy vehicle (NEV) license plate process. In big cities, there's basically no more lottery system now. For example, in Beijing, NEVs use a queuing system—you apply and get the license quota in order, which is much more reliable than the fuel vehicle lottery. Shanghai also directly grants green license plate quotas as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. However, before buying, make sure to confirm the local specific rules—some places require proof of a charging station first. Additionally, the green license plate policies are becoming more lenient now. My neighbor bought a pure-electric SUV at the end of last year, and it only took a little over 40 days from application to getting the plate. But always remember to check the local transportation bureau website—don’t just rely on what the salesperson says.
