What is the difference between Su E and Su U license plates in Suzhou?

[VonTucker]

Suzhou license plates Su E and Su U are both vehicle license plates in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, with Su U being the newly introduced plate. Below is relevant information about vehicle license plates: 1. A vehicle license plate, also known as a car number plate and vehicle license, is a standardized, uniform-format hard number plate issued by vehicle management authorities after reviewing, inspecting, and registering vehicles applying for plates, in accordance with national vehicle management laws. 2. Similar to an ID card, a vehicle license plate serves as an identifier for a vehicle, assigning a unique number and recording its information. Its primary function is to indicate the vehicle's registered region and enable tracking of the owner and registration details through the plate number.

[PaigeMarie]

I've been driving in Suzhou for many years and have seen quite a few changes in license plates. The Su E plates are traditional fuel vehicle plates, which have been used for a long time and are commonly seen everywhere on the streets. The Su U plates are newly introduced series, mainly for new energy vehicles like electric cars, added by the government to alleviate the shortage of numbers. In reality, there's not much difference between the two; both are symbols of Suzhou license plates, but Su U is more inclined towards green-plate vehicles, with newer number series making it easier to choose a plate. When I first bought an electric car, I chose Su U and found it quite convenient. On the road, most Su E plate owners drive fuel vehicles and need to maintain them more frequently, while Su U owners might charge their cars more often. However, their overall functions are the same, not affecting driving permits or parking rules. I've noticed the proportion on the road, and Su U plates are becoming increasingly more common.

[VanAaron]

I work in auto repair and deal with license plates all the time. Su E plates correspond to fuel-powered vehicles, where engine inspections must be thorough—oil and filters all need attention. Su U plates are mostly used for new energy vehicles, where the battery system requires proper maintenance. There's no substantial difference between the two; it's just a division of number segments. The government added Su U to expand license plate resources as the number of new energy vehicles has surged, and plates were running short. In the workshop, I see the recognition systems can handle both, so it doesn't affect annual inspections. When choosing a car, owners can simply pair fuel vehicles with Su E and electric vehicles with Su U—easy and straightforward. However, a reminder: new energy vehicle maintenance requires regular checks on cables and charging stations—don't lose big over small things. Safe driving is the priority; license plates are just symbols—no need to overthink it.

[SanElliot]

I bought a new electric vehicle and chose the Su U license plate series during registration, which was a quick process. Su E is the traditional license plate series in Suzhou, mainly for conventional fuel vehicles and commonly seen everywhere. Su U is a newly added series specifically for green-plate vehicles, offering fresher and more selectable number combinations. The difference is minimal—both are essentially Suzhou license plates with no issues for road use. I chose it mainly for novelty and easier number selection. Rumor has it that Su U was introduced due to insufficient license plate availability amid the surge in new energy vehicles. In practice, I've noticed other drivers using both series interchangeably, with no additional policy restrictions. For beginners, I’d recommend prioritizing practical needs—license plate color doesn’t affect purchase subsidies or parking fees, so just enjoy worry-free driving.