Which Vehicles Are Eligible for Green License Plates?
3 Answers
Vehicles eligible for green license plates: pure electric vehicles (exempt from traffic restrictions based on license plate tail numbers), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, fuel cell vehicles (subject to the same tail number restrictions as gasoline and hybrid vehicles), while conventional hybrid vehicles are not eligible for green plates. Green license plates represent new energy vehicles, distinguishing them from traditional gasoline-powered cars. Currently, some cities implement traffic restriction policies, but new energy vehicles are exempt. The distinction between new energy vehicles and gasoline-powered vehicles is immediately apparent from their license plates: small new energy vehicles have black characters on a gradient green background, while large new energy vehicles use a yellow-green dual-color background, with the license plate number increasing from the standard five digits to six digits.
I usually enjoy researching policies. Currently, green license plates are mainly issued to new energy vehicles, which fall into three categories: pure electric vehicles that rely entirely on battery power are definitely eligible for green plates; plug-in hybrid vehicles require special attention—they must support external charging and have a pure electric range exceeding 50 kilometers to qualify; hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, though rare, also qualify. However, some cities have unique policies—for instance, Shanghai stopped issuing green plates for plug-in hybrids after 2023. Here’s a lesser-known fact: some range-extended electric vehicles use gasoline engines to generate electricity, but as long as their battery capacity meets the standard, they are still classified as plug-in hybrids. Be careful not to mistakenly purchase a regular hybrid that cannot be plugged in—those only qualify for blue plates. When choosing a car, always check the "Recommended Catalog of New Energy Vehicles"—vehicles not listed might end up being a waste of money.
I just got a new energy vehicle with a green license plate, and here's a special reminder for everyone: pure electric vehicles are the simplest, like Tesla and BYD, which are all fine. For plug-in hybrids, it depends on the specific model. The one I bought can run 55 km on pure electricity, and the 4S store directly helped me get the green license plate. However, I heard that some cars exaggerate their range, and if it's below 50 km, the policy won't recognize it. Also, note that the vehicle's certificate must be labeled "new energy," and second-hand vehicles being transferred need to have their battery capacity re-tested. The most cost-effective part is the exemption from purchase tax, and in big cities, you don't need to enter a lottery for the license plate. But remember to check local policies in advance, as subsidies vary greatly between cities. My neighbor bought a second-hand plug-in hybrid, but the local authorities didn't recognize it, so he could only drive it with an out-of-town green license plate.
