
Energy-saving license plates and regular license plates differ in terms of outline dimensions, background color, and the number of digits on the plate. The dimensions of energy-saving license plates are 480mm×140mm, while regular license plates measure 440mm×140mm. Energy-saving license plates feature a green background with black characters and black borders, in a gradient green color. Large new energy vehicle license plates use a yellow-green dual-color scheme, whereas regular plates have a blue background with white characters and white borders. Green license plates are exclusively for new energy vehicles, with gradient green for passenger vehicles and yellow-green dual-color for trucks. New energy vehicle license plates embody the concept of "green environmental protection," using green as the primary color, adding special identifiers, and incorporating new anti-counterfeiting technologies and manufacturing processes. This not only facilitates differentiated management and easy identification but also highlights the characteristics of new energy and technological innovation. Energy-saving license plates have one more digit than the traditional 5-digit fuel vehicle license plates. The letter D represents pure electric vehicles, while F represents plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Regular elderly scooters are not included in this category.

As a long-time driver, I've noticed significant differences between energy-efficient license plates and regular ones. Energy-efficient plates are mostly green in design and exclusively for new energy vehicles, such as electric cars or plug-in hybrids; regular plates are blue and assigned to traditional fuel-powered vehicles. In cities with license plate restrictions, energy-efficient plates offer great advantages, allowing direct registration without the lottery process, saving time and hassle—especially convenient for users like me in big cities. However, charging infrastructure is not yet fully developed, making it sometimes troublesome to find charging stations. On the other hand, fuel-powered vehicles refuel quickly but at higher costs. In terms of pricing, new energy vehicles often enjoy subsidies, making them considerably cheaper, with long-term electricity costs saving up to half compared to fuel expenses. Fuel-powered vehicles are simpler to maintain but have higher fuel costs. From an environmental perspective, energy-efficient vehicles have lower emissions and are cleaner, which I believe contributes to air quality improvement. Both types perform adequately in daily use, but the key is to consider personal needs and city policies.

I usually enjoy researching automotive policies, and the main differences between energy-efficient license plates and regular plates lie in government incentives. Energy-efficient plates represent new energy vehicle models, which receive substantial state subsidies, such as exemption from purchase taxes or direct discounts of tens of thousands of yuan, and they can travel unrestricted even in traffic-restricted zones. Regular plates, on the other hand, follow the standard process without special benefits. In terms of license plate application, energy-efficient vehicles require environmental certification, while regular vehicles have simpler procedures. In urban management, as I've noticed in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, green-plate vehicles enjoy perks like free parking or dedicated lanes to promote eco-friendly travel, whereas fuel-powered vehicles face more restrictions, such as frequent traffic bans. These differences encourage the development of new energy vehicles, but I believe policies are evolving, so it's essential to check local regulations before buying a car to avoid inconveniences.

From a technical perspective, I understand that energy-efficient license plates are specifically designed for electric vehicle systems, with the core being battery-powered and zero-emission for strong environmental benefits; standard license plates are paired with fuel engines, relying on fossil fuels and causing more pollution. In practical use, electric cars start quickly with low noise but require long charging times; gasoline cars refuel quickly with stable power output, but the downside is emission issues. In terms of maintenance costs, electric vehicles have simpler motors with fewer repairs needed, and battery life spans about ten years; gasoline cars have complex engines prone to faults and higher fuel expenses. The overall difference lies in the technical architecture and environmental impact. I recommend choosing based on needs, as new energy vehicles are the trend.


