Why do some Teslas have blue license plates?

[MacHolden]

Some Teslas have blue license plates because they were registered early and were not in the first batch of pilot cities for new energy vehicle license plates. Below is a detailed introduction to vehicle license plates: Common classifications of vehicle license plates: They are usually divided into small vehicle license plates (blue background with white characters and white borders), special license plates for new energy vehicles (green background with black characters and black borders, gradient green), large vehicle license plates (yellow background with black characters and black borders), and Hong Kong-Macau entry-exit vehicle license plates (black background with white characters, white "Hong Kong" or "Macau" characters, and white borders), etc. Composition of vehicle license plate numbers: The front part of the license plate consists of the abbreviation of the province and the code of the prefecture-level city, followed by five digits combining numbers and letters. Currently, the country has implemented a new license plate policy where you can choose your own license plate number, but the first two characters must be letters, which can be selected as desired, and the last three are numbers, which can also be freely chosen.

[DylanMarie]

As a seasoned Tesla driver, I've seen several blue-plated models, mainly because they were imported or purchased long ago. In China, before the green license plate policy was implemented in 2016, all vehicles, including Tesla electric cars, were registered with regular blue plates. The green plates are specifically designed for new energy vehicles, representing the new regulations that enjoy exemption from purchase tax and license plate benefits. However, those Model S or X from 2014 to 2016, registered before the policy was implemented, naturally have blue plates. When buying a used car, pay special attention to the registration date and don't be misled by the license plate color. Blue-plated cars actually have the same electric performance, they just lack the benefits of the new policy.

[CoraFitz]

I've been in the auto repair business for years and know the common reasons for blue-plated Teslas. Early imported Teslas didn't meet green plate standards during local certification—issues like incompatible charging systems in some regions got them classified as regular passenger vehicles, hence the blue plates. Another possibility is improper modifications or expired import certificates causing registration errors. Mechanically, these cars are fine with efficient range, but when buying used, check insurance and maintenance records to ensure electrical safety. After policy implementation, standardization has made such issues rare.

[DeLyla]

China's green license plate system was introduced in 2016 to promote new energy vehicles and encourage electric cars. Vehicles registered before that period uniformly received blue plates, including early Tesla models. The policy aims to reduce emissions and distinguish between fuel-powered and electric vehicles—blue plates indicate conventional fuel vehicle categories, though Tesla's performance as an electric car remains unchanged. Those blue-plated vehicles reflect the initial phase of EV promotion, with plates retained by early adopters. After regulatory refinements, nearly all vehicles now carry green plates. When purchasing a car, understanding historical policies helps avoid misconceptions about brand identity.

[LeMariana]

When browsing the used car market, I came across a seller with a blue-license-plate Tesla. They explained it was purchased by the owner before the policy change and they couldn't be bothered to change the plate. Blue plates represent ordinary passenger vehicles registered before 2016, which don't qualify for the new green plate's purchase tax exemption, but the car itself remains purely electric with no performance difference. Before purchasing or transferring ownership, it's advisable to check the vehicle registration details to ensure the license plate status is legal; avoid buying imported vehicles in regulatory gray areas.