Low emission vehicles could be given green number plates, under new plans outlined by the Government.
The scheme would involve ultra-low emission cars, vans and taxis – including electrified and hydrogen machines – being fitted with special plates to make them more visible. It is designed to raise awareness of such machines, and to support schemes such as low emission zones, vehicle lanes and parking spaces.
The Department for Transport has announced plans to launch a consultation on the scheme, which is similar to systems already in place in Norway, Canada and China.
The most expensive number plates sold in the UK
Transport secretary Chris Grayling said: “The UK has a proud history of leading the world in technological advances and that is no different for ultra low emission vehicles, where we are at the forefront of innovation and testing. This new cleaner, greener transport has the potential to bring with it cleaner air, a better environment and stronger economies for countries around the world.
“Adding a green badge of honour to these new clean vehicles is a brilliant way of helping increase awareness of their growing popularity in the UK, and might just encourage people to think about how one could fit into their own travel routine.”
The consultation will also consider a potential design for the plates, with the DfT suggesting that they could be entirely green on the front, back or both, or could simply feature a special green symbol.
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New scapegoat
I was wondering what the next move would be after the diesel debacle, that is to say how the business users will get off the hook, they will dump diesel en masse then buy cars with green number plates and then be allowed to use the bus lanes etc and perhaps more importantly for the business users free access to ULEZ. With number plate recognition it would be great as green is right in the middle of the grey scale.
Glasgow
If they introduce coloured number plates in Glasgow, they'd better have a blue option.
Gimmick
It seems like they just make this stuff up as they go. All the money that is being wasted on this could be used for infrastructure improvements to make owning an electric car more practical for more people.. That would make a far bigger difference. Plus on a practical note, a green number plate could be harder to read than a black on white/ yellow example.
Will86 wrote:
Queensland used green plates for a number of years - Still super clear as any other colour... Though they're not entirely good looking. I wouldn't opt for one if I owned an EV.
But I agree, if this plan costs more than a few hundred quid (I'm guessing it'll be a heck of a lot more), that's money wasted which could have been used to install a charger to a street lamp instead. I still haven't seen one, even though they've been talking about it for nearly 2 years now. :-(