[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Within the last few years there have been an increasing number of cars with a green line on their number plates on UK roads, with almost half of cars in some areas seeming to show this small banner. But what does it mean? Let’s look at what cars have green number plates and how you can get one.
Vehicles with a small green strip at the start of the number plate are 100% electric vehicles; the green line was introduced at the end of 2020 to promote the use of electric vehicles by making them more obvious on the roads and potentially reap some benefits such as preferential parking. Hybrid vehicles don’t have the green strip as this is for only all-electric vehicles.
Unlike green number plates you may have seen while in Dubai, France, the Netherlands or other countries, British green number plates only have a strip at the beginning of the number plate where you may normally find the “UK” symbol for vehicles to travel abroad. In other countries, the background of the plate is fully green indicating something unique about the licence plate such as it’s owned by a diplomat, is a taxi or is promoting eco-friendly transportation. There is no EU-wide scheme for promoting electric vehicles, however, some countries like Norway and Germany have an “E” on their plate to indicate the vehicle is electric.
British number plates have to adhere to strict rules regarding their format, including the colour, so all British number plates have black characters on a white background at the front and black characters on a yellow background at the rear of the vehicle.
The best way to customise a number plate is often through personalisation of the characters, although this can be expensive and there are limited options, so your first choice of personalised plate may already be taken. This is because UK number plate laws are very strict regarding:
If any of these areas are incorrect leading to the number plate being illegible, you could fail an MOT test and be handed a huge fine of up to £1000. Now there are more ways to customise your number plate and still remain on the right side of the law, with 4D clear krystal characters making your number plate stand out, and 4D double clear krystal for an even more eye-popping statement.
When getting a new number plate, always buy from a trusted number plate supplier.
While the introduction of the green number plates was designed to promote the use of EVs on the roads, not every electric vehicle has them and they’re not mandatory for owners of electric vehicles to have. However, new models will automatically have the green strip on the number plate as of the end of 2020.
If you wish to get a green number plate for an electric vehicle you bought before 2020, you can find an approved number plate supplier and upgrade your number plate to show off your eco-friendly vehicle. Electric vehicles do have some benefits in the UK that petrol and diesel engines don’t, but in most cases, having the green number plate doesn’t yet give you preferential treatment, it just helps show the growing number of EVs in the UK, showing our commitment to a sustainable future.
Tesla is a famous American electric vehicle company owned by billionaire Elon Musk – possibly the most famous manufacturer of electric vehicles due to the notoriety of the owner as well as the incredible innovation of the company. Teslas are powered solely by electricity and do not have any hybrid vehicles or those with internal combustion engines (ICE)
As Tesla cars are all electric, they also don’t need oil changes or most of the same maintenance and repairs as standard ICE vehicles; Tesla vehicles do not have traditional gasoline engines that require oil for lubrication and cooling. Instead, Tesla vehicles are powered by electric motors, which operate differently and do not require oil changes. However, Tesla vehicles still require periodic maintenance and service, including tasks such as checking and maintaining the battery system, cooling system, brakes, tires, and other components.
While some aspects of Tesla vehicles may be similar to traditional cars, many components, such as the electric motor, battery pack, and advanced electronics, require specialised knowledge and tools, so if you’re considering purchasing an electric car, you may need to think about where you can take it to for maintenance as well as installing a charging point in your home.
Like other electric vehicles, electric motorbikes are not obligated to have a green strip on their number plate in the UK. However, new electric motorbikes also do not have the green strip on the number plate as they were not part of the government’s plan to make EVs more easily identifiable, instead focusing on cars, vans and other four-wheeled vehicles.
However, electric motorbikes producing zero emissions can qualify for green number plates, so if the vehicle owner wishes, they can voluntarily opt for these plates to indicate their eco-friendly status. Similar to other vehicle types, displaying green number plates on electric motorbikes is solely at the discretion of the owner, and may not have any advantages, although this may change in the future.
In the UK, motorbikes are required to display square number plates, sometimes referred to as “Jap plates” due to Japanese number plates commonly being square in shape. These plates are smaller in size compared to standard rectangular plates used on cars and other vehicles, although not usually an exact square, with most measuring 9” x 7”. This square shape ensures the number plate properly fits the rear of the motorbike without obstructing any essential components or features.
Moreover, the smaller size contributes to the motorcycle’s aerodynamics and enhances its overall aesthetics. The use of square plates is regulated by UK laws to ensure visibility and legality on the road, although only the rear number plate is necessary on motorbikes. Therefore, if opting for a green number plate for a motorbike, it’s crucial to ensure compliance with these regulations to maintain road safety standards and avoid penalties.
There are some benefits in the UK for having an electric vehicle, however, many of the benefits can also apply to electric vehicles regardless of the type of number plate they display, as long as they meet the criteria for being zero-emission vehicles, and not all areas or schemes may specifically require or recognise them.
In the UK, electric vehicles can receive the following benefits:
So, while having a green number plate can provide some advantages, particularly in terms of recognition and potential incentives, electric vehicles in the UK may still enjoy similar benefits based on their zero-emission status, irrespective of their number plates.
If you want a new green number plate from an approved number plate supplier, meets the UK’s strict road safety laws and can be customised in a variety of ways, then check out the professional plates at the Number Plate Clinic!
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