What is the difference between green license plates and blue ones?
2 Answers
Green license plates and blue ones mainly have the following differences: 1. Green license plates are the latest 2017-style new energy vehicle license plates, which indicate that the vehicle is a pure electric, zero-emission car; blue license plates are for ordinary small vehicles, and some early-purchased pure electric vehicles also used this type of license plate before the 2017-style new energy license plates were introduced. 2. Vehicles with green license plates are not subject to traffic restriction regulations; blue license plates are affected by traffic restrictions. Although new energy vehicles with blue license plates will not be penalized, drivers still need to go to the traffic management department to clear penalty points with their driver's license.
Having worked in automotive policy research for many years, I've noticed that the main difference between green and blue license plates lies in the government's policy to promote new energy vehicles. Blue plates are for traditional fuel-powered cars, like the old gasoline car in my household, which doesn't receive any special benefits. Green plates are exclusively for electric or hybrid vehicles—for instance, my neighbor switched to a green plate and now enjoys a host of perks, such as tax exemptions, free parking, and no driving restrictions, especially in cities like Beijing and Shanghai where license plate quotas are enforced. It’s incredibly advantageous. Additionally, the format of the numbers on the plates differs: blue plates feature a standard alphanumeric combination, while green plates often start with an 'F' or 'D' for easy identification by traffic police. Since the policy was introduced, sales of green-plate vehicles have surged, promoting environmental protection and energy efficiency—a clear sign of China's commitment to green transportation. Overall, blue plates represent the past, while green plates symbolize the future. Choosing a green-plate vehicle when buying a car can save you money and reduce carbon emissions.