Must New Energy Vehicles Use Green License Plates?

[DiGemma]

New energy vehicles must use green license plates. Below are the eligibility criteria for applying for new energy vehicle license plates: 1. The vehicle must be registered in China, with sufficient self-owned capital and financing capability commensurate with the project investment. 2. The applying enterprise can only produce "pure electric passenger vehicles," including pure electric and extended-range (series hybrid with external charging capability) passenger vehicles that meet relevant national standards. Below is an introduction to the special license plates for new energy vehicles: 1. The dimensions of the special license plate for new energy vehicles are 480mm×140mm. 2. The special license plate for small new energy vehicles features a gradient green color. 3. The special license plate for large new energy vehicles features a yellow-green dual-color scheme. 4. The first character of the special license plate for small new energy vehicles uses the letters D or F (D represents pure electric new energy vehicles, F represents non-pure electric new energy vehicles). 5. The sixth character of the special license plate for large new energy vehicles uses the letters D or F (D represents pure electric new energy vehicles, F represents non-pure electric new energy vehicles).

[BeckettLee]

Last time when accompanying my friend to pick up a Tesla, the salesperson specifically reminded us that applying for a green license plate is mandatory as per national regulations. New energy vehicles include pure electric and plug-in hybrid models, and the DMV will automatically assign green plates based on the motor type during registration. Green plates offer many benefits: those starting with the letter D are for pure electric vehicles, while F denotes hybrids, both eligible for tax exemption policies and exempt from traffic restrictions in some cities. Using a blue plate instead might get you stopped by traffic police, as the vehicle's certification clearly marks it as 'new energy'. However, it's important to note that hybrid vehicles must have a pure electric range exceeding 50 kilometers to qualify for a green plate, so older models like the Prius, which are just regular hybrids, don't qualify.

[OTravis]

Our driving school recently purchased two electric training vehicles, which were directly issued green license plates by the vehicle management office. The instructor told me this is the only identifier to distinguish them from fuel-powered vehicles, otherwise, traffic cameras wouldn't recognize them as new energy vehicles. The new regulations are even stricter now. Last year, a car owner in our city tried to modify a fuel-powered car to pass as a new energy vehicle and was caught, resulting in an immediate 12-point deduction. The second letter on the green plate indicates the operational nature: training vehicles have an 'X' at the end, private vehicles have a 'Y', and ride-hailing vehicles start with a 'D'. Remember to get your plates through official channels, and never believe the 'blue and green plates are interchangeable' claim made by unauthorized agents.

[ElisaDella]

I drive a BYD Han as a ride-hailing driver in Shanghai, and the green license plate is practically a free pass. During peak hours, fuel-powered vehicles with non-local plates aren't allowed on elevated roads, but we green-plate cars can go anywhere without restrictions, getting about 30% more orders than blue-plate cars. However, you need to be aware of policies in other cities. Last week when I went to Suzhou to pick up passengers, I found that the local government had abolished the free parking policy for green-plate vehicles. Nowadays, green plates have integrated electronic identification functions. Since last year, they've been equipped with built-in ETC chips that automatically identify new energy vehicle discounts at toll stations. Some places also require a new energy vehicle identification sticker on the front windshield to be used in conjunction with the green plate.

[JaylaRose]

When buying a Xiaopeng P7 for my son, I discovered that the DMV has a dedicated green license plate window. The staff mentioned that new energy vehicles have an independent filing system, and applying now allows for immediate selection of desirable plate numbers. In fact, green plate technology is upgraded annually, with the latest version featuring hidden laser anti-counterfeiting marks on the reflective film and raised sensor points around the plate frame. A special reminder for friends buying second-hand new energy vehicles: transferring ownership requires replacing the green plate, otherwise, it may affect the application for charging pile subsidies. A neighbor tried to save trouble by not replacing the plate, and as a result, couldn't even apply for peak and off-peak electricity price discounts.