Green number plates to help electric car owners get incentives

The Department for Transport says the move would give local authorities a visual identifier which would help them if they wish to introduce incentives, such as allowing drivers of electric cars to use bus lanes or pay less for parking.

It says a similar scheme was trialled in Ontario, Canada, with drivers of electric vehicles given free access to toll lanes and high occupancy vehicle lanes – usually reserved for vehicles with a minimum number of passengers – and it saw an increase in electric vehicle registrations.

Designs for the plates include a green background with black lettering and numbers, or a green block on the number plate, as seen above, or a green circle.

Having open today, the consultation will close on 14 January next year.

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What does the Government say?

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Green number plates are a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads.

"By increasing awareness of these vehicles and the benefits they bring to their drivers and our environment, we will turbo-charge the zero emission revolution."