What License Plate Does a Hybrid Vehicle Use?
2 Answers
Hybrid vehicles use new energy license plates, but common hybrid vehicles are divided into three categories: plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), range-extended hybrid electric vehicles, and conventional hybrid electric vehicles. Among these, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and range-extended hybrid electric vehicles are classified as new energy vehicles and thus use new energy license plates. Conventional hybrid electric vehicles, strictly speaking, can only be considered as energy-saving vehicles, similar in nature to regular gasoline-powered cars, and therefore use standard motor vehicle license plates. License plates, commonly referred to as vehicle plates, are panels mounted on the front and rear of a vehicle, typically made of aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or paper, displaying the vehicle's registration number, registration region, or other relevant information.
I previously bought a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which qualified for a green license plate. There are many benefits to having a green-plate car: it exempts you from paying tens of thousands in purchase tax, offers wider access to free parking zones in the city, and sometimes even discounts at highway toll stations. I heard that non-plug-in hybrids, like Toyota's dual-engine models, can only get the regular blue plates because they don't count as full new energy vehicles without plug-in capability. When I went to the DMV to complete the paperwork, I brought the vehicle certification to prove it was in the new energy category. The process was quite smooth—just half a day in line and it was done. Later, my neighbor bought a hybrid with a blue plate and regretted not choosing the plug-in version. The difference in license plates has a big impact, especially on traffic restrictions: green-plate cars in Shanghai aren't subject to the same rules as out-of-town vehicles, while blue plates have to follow the regulations. For friends looking to save money and be eco-friendly, definitely go for a plug-in hybrid that qualifies for a green plate.
