Car dealers are preparing for the arrival of a new kind of number plate this autumn. The new plates are being introduced exclusively for electric vehicles (EVs), featuring a new eye-catching green stripe to highlight the fact that EVs are emission-free.
The new number plates have been fitted to EV models, including the new Nissan Leaf, at Nissan showrooms nationwide to show customers how they could look when they are fully launched later this year.
The initiative was announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps earlier this year as part of a wider plan to drive a ‘green economic recovery’ and raise the profile of battery-powered cars after the chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Shapps said the plates could "increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads and show people that a greener transport future is within our grasp".
EVs will continue to have conventional white and yellow plates on their front and rear, but the plates will feature a green vertical stripe on their left-hand side. The new number plates should make it easier for cars and vans to be identified as zero-emission models, helping local authorities to design and implement new policies to encourage people to drive EVs.
For example, EV owners could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking and free entry into zero-emission clean air zones.
EVs are being promoted by the Department for Transport ahead of a ban on the sale of all new cars with internal combustion engines from 2035.
Commenting on new number plates, Edmund King, AA president, said: “Having a green flash on the number plate may become a badge of honour for some drivers. We support this concept which shows that the EV revolution is now moving from amber to green.”
A Nissan spokesman said: “Anything that encourages electric vehicle use is to be encouraged and we think the green plates will prove incredibly useful in terms of raising awareness of the benefits of emission-free motoring.”
Motability customers are becoming increasingly drawn to the appeal of a vehicle with zero emissions as driving ranges increase and Motability Advance Payment prices for EVs come down. The Motability worry-free motoring package also includes a no-cost charging solution for Motability customers who order a 100% battery electric vehicle through the scheme.
If you're thinking about going electric when the time comes to choose your next Motability vehicle, take a look at the fantastic range of EVs currently available to lease through the Motability Scheme.
