What is the difference between electric and hybrid vehicle license plates?
2 Answers
Electric and hybrid vehicle license plates differ in their first letter: pure electric vehicle license plates start with the letter D, while hybrid vehicle license plates start with the letter F. D represents pure electric new energy vehicles, and F represents plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles, which are non-pure electric new energy vehicles. The battery of a plug-in hybrid vehicle can be charged using an external power source, whereas the battery of a conventional hybrid vehicle cannot be charged externally, resulting in a relatively low pure electric range. Pure electric vehicles rely entirely on electric motors for propulsion, featuring larger batteries and higher motor power compared to hybrid vehicles.
As someone who drives to work every day, I pay special attention to the differences between electric and hybrid vehicle license plates. Simply put, electric vehicles are purely electric-driven, with license plates starting with the letter D and featuring bright green plates. Hybrids, on the other hand, combine electricity and fuel, with license plates starting with the letter F—also green but with different markings. In practice, I’ve noticed that pure electric D-plate vehicles enjoy certain privileges, such as exemption from odd-even driving restrictions in cities with traffic controls, free parking spaces, and exemption from purchase tax. Hybrid F-plate policies are slightly less favorable—driving restrictions may depend on local regulations, and the flexibility of switching between fuel and electricity is greater. However, hybrids have the advantage of being able to rely on fuel for long-distance travel when the battery is depleted, unlike pure electric vehicles, which require frequent charging stops. Before buying a car, I recommend checking the local policy differences carefully—don’t just rely on the similar color of the plates to make your decision.
