What are the differences between license plates for pure electric and hybrid vehicles?
4 Answers
Pure electric and hybrid vehicles have different license plate colors: pure electric vehicles, classified as new energy vehicles, have license plates with a green background; hybrid vehicles, categorized under fuel-powered vehicles, have license plates with a blue background. Specifically, small new energy passenger vehicles use gradient green plates, while large new energy passenger vehicles use yellow-green dual-color plates. License plates, commonly referred to as vehicle plates, are panels mounted on the front and rear of a vehicle. They serve as identification and registration for each vehicle, primarily enabling recognition of the vehicle's region of registration and allowing access to the owner's details and registration information based on the plate.
I've been driving for over a decade and know vehicle license plate classifications inside out. Pure electric vehicle plates have a green background with the letter D at the beginning, representing pure electric drive systems where all energy comes from batteries. Hybrid vehicle plates also have green backgrounds but start with the letter F, indicating they retain traditional fuel systems. Both types have one more digit than regular blue plates, making them six-digit plus letter combinations. These designs mainly help traffic police with identification and management, as policies like traffic restrictions often favor pure electric vehicles more. Many cities also offer more parking fee discounts for pure electric vehicles, so it's crucial to check plate types when choosing a car. Additionally, policies like purchase tax exemptions for green-plate vehicles require verification through plate information—these details directly affect vehicle operating costs.
When I switched to a new energy vehicle, I specifically researched this area. Both pure electric and hybrid vehicles have green gradient license plates, but the 'F' on hybrid plates represents non-pure electric powertrains, indicating they retain an engine. On the road, you can quickly identify the type of vehicle by its license plate. In major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, pure electric 'D' plates enjoy more road privileges, such as access to bus lanes or exemption from traffic restrictions. There are also differences in how license plate numbers are selected—green plates have an extra digit, offering more combinations. Some brand dealerships remind customers that hybrid plates starting with 'F' might affect local subsidy application processes. It's advisable to check local preferential policies for different types of plates before choosing a vehicle to avoid future hassles.
I'm a new owner of a new energy vehicle. Both pure electric and hybrid vehicles have green license plates after registration, but hybrids start with the letter F, while pure electric ones start with D, with a very eye-catching color scheme. The license plate number has been increased from six to seven digits, allowing for more combinations. This design helps authorities quickly identify the vehicle type, and many smart cameras now automatically grant access to pure electric vehicles based on these letters. In daily use, pure electric D-plated vehicles can enjoy priority access to charging spots in some shopping malls—these differentiated services are directly reflected on the license plate. When choosing a plate, you might even get a more memorable number combination.
