Number plates on eco-friendly cars go green
GREEN number plates could be fitted to energy-saving cars in the biggest shake up of vehicle registration rules in decades, the Department for Transport has announced.
The plates, which will eventually give electric car drivers privileges such as using bus lanes and cheaper parking, were unveiled as part of a drive to increase the take up of greener vehicles. Images of three proposed designs for the plates have been released by the DFT as part of a consultation.
The last time number plates changed colour was in 1973, when the rear registration plate was changed to yellow.
The public is being asked to choose between a completely green plate, or one with a green flash or a green dot.
The Government is also consulting on which electric and low-emission vehicles qualify for the plate, which could be introduced as soon as late 2021.
The scheme is part of a general push by the Government to reach its net zero emissions target by 2050.
In an article for The Telegraph website, Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, says: “Fully green number plates, or plates with a green design element, would allow people all over the UK to spot vehicles based on their environmental impact. This Government is making it more convenient than ever before for drivers to switch to a clean, zero-emission car. We want these cars to become the new normal – and to be as easy to charge as a smartphone.” Following the 12-week consultation, the Government said it would lay out the legislative steps needed to implement the scheme, which would hinge on how drastic the final changes were to the current number plates.
Other issues it is consulting on are whether the plates would be only available to new vehicles or whether drivers would be allowed to apply for them for their current vehicles and whether the plates should be mandatory for those that qualify. Once the plates start appearing on UK roads, councils would be encouraged to grant incentives for holders such as parking discounts.
Nottingham City Council already runs a scheme where electric vehicles receive a green sticker allowing them to use a bus lane in a congested area.
Mr Shapps writes: “Several local authorities have already indicated plates with a green element would enable
clearer visual recognition of vehicles eligible for local incentives, such as access to bus lanes, ultra-low or zero emission zones and cheaper parking.
Other countries operate incentive schemes, such as Canada, where vehicles with green licence plates can use some toll lanes for free and have automatic access to high occupancy lanes.
The consultation comes after Mr Shapps announced other measures to encourage more people to switch to electric cars. Last month he pledged £70 million to improve the UK’S charging network by installing 3,000 rapid electric vehicle chargers.
The Government is also consulting on requiring charge points to be built into new homes with a parking space.
Latest figures from the Department for Transport show there are more than 220,000 registered electric and hybrid cars on the roads as of June.
Elisabeth Costa, senior director at the Behavioural Insights Team, said: “Green number plates make these vehicles, and our decision to drive in a more environmentally-friendly way, more visible on roads. We think making the changing social norm noticeable will help encourage more of us to swap our cars for cleaner options.”