Can a Hybrid Have a Green Number Plate?
Electric cars are slowly starting to become much more commonplace on our roads. You can easily see which vehicle is electric purely by the number plate, which has a green stripe on the side of the plate. But does the same apply to hybrid vehicles?
This blog will answer the question ‘Can a hybrid have a green number plate?’
As an established registration plate maker, we at Bespoke Plates know how to add a unique and distinctive finish to your vehicle registration plate, further stating a level of individuality that can be the finishing touch to a vehicle you have already customised.
Bespoke Plates is a renowned and legally certified registration plate maker and installer, with options of 3D Plates, 4D plates, Show plates, and regular / electric vehicle plates and more. We are the one-stop shop for all things registration plates!
Whether it’s a private plate, gel plate, standard registration plate or plating accessories, we have you covered.
As a certified and experienced team of plate fitters and makers, our plates are installed to the specification of UK law, provided alongside the appropriate paperwork you need. (The only exception to this is show plates.)
Why are green plates used on cars?
In the UK, a green number plate refers to a marking found on a fully electric vehicle’s registration plate, this marking is a green stripe on the left-hand side of the vehicle’s plate.
This indicator is important to be able to recognise an electric vehicle, especially with ULEZ zones becoming more normal in areas like Central London, vehicle recognition devices will not charge a road user if their electric vehicle is in a ULEZ area.
What is a hybrid?
The word hybrid can be defined as anything that is made by combining two different elements. When it comes to vehicles this term is also used, A hybrid vehicle is the term used to describe a vehicle that uses both petrol or diesel, in addition to electricity.
The reasoning for the advent of hybrid vehicles was the need to find eco-friendly solutions that would lessen the damage done to the earth as a result of greenhouse gasses that are released by regular vehicles through their exhausts.
Are hybrid cars better than normal cars?
Ultimately, this is down to preference and costs. In terms of performance, hybrid vehicles are a little behind their regular counterparts. But expect this to change in the coming years with the development of new technology, and the fact that newer fully electric vehicles are actually relatively powerful in their own right.
If you are conscious of your carbon footprint, have the money, and looking for a greener alternative, a fully electric car is the way to go. Although if you prefer to ease yourself into using a vehicle with electric, a hybrid is a great place to start.
Do I need a different driving licence for hybrid/electric vehicles?
Not at all, you are not required to retake any tests or reapply for a new kind of licence if you choose to drive a hybrid or electric vehicle. Aside from the alternative fuel source, there is no dramatic change in terms of driving that requires a different licence/test.
Can a hybrid have a green number plate?
No. Hybrid vehicles still operate using petrol/diesel (depending on the model you have). They are known as hybrid vehicles because they uses both regular fuel and electricity to operate. As a result, they still release emissions into the atmosphere, consequently they are unable to have a green number plate.
Green number plates are strictly reserved for vehicles that only operate using electricity, any deviation from that rule means the vehicle is not eligible to have a green plate.
Do hybrid vehicles have their own number plate?
No, hybrid vehicles have the standard number plates any other non-electric vehicle has. Even though they are better environmentally than its regular all-fuel counterpart,
Ordering a green number plate
Whether you want to replace your registration plate because of physical damage, or you just want a different style of plate, we at Bespoke Plates make the process easy and efficient. Here is the process.
By following these steps you will also have the option to see the plate before making a decision.
Visualising how your plate can look in real-time, with the characters from your actual registration plate, saves time and makes it easy for you to know what you want before you get it. Let us walk you through the process of choosing your plate through us.
- Head to the Bespoke Plates website
- Select the plate style you want under the “Build Your Plate” tab. Alternatively, you can follow this link.
- Enter your registration (You can press ‘preview’ to see your registration with all of the modification options you have selected.)
- When selecting an electric plate you can opt for 3D/4D options, a Hex plate, and whether or not you want a legal plate or a show plate.
- Select preferred optional accessories.
- Choose if you are collecting with installation, or if you want it to be delivered.
If you choose to install through us, we can remove and replace your old registration plate, taking the hassle and hard work out of your hands. Of course, you can opt to remove your plate yourself.
Please note, if you are purchasing an electric vehicle number plate, it must not be for a vehicle that is not electric.
What are the rules for number plates?
To clear up any confusion, plate modification, whether that be Hex plates, or gel plates (3D & 4D) are 100% LEGAL if you stick to the outlined rules from the DVLA.*
*Please do your due diligence and research, some unverified registration plate providers may not be making their plates to the legal specification, which could become an inconvenience for you. Visiting Bespoke Plates is the best way to avoid this trouble.
Alternatively, using the government gateway to find licenced and approved plate makers is the best option for peace of mind and finding plate makers close to you. Enter your postcode on the government gateway website.
What are the legal requirements for a registration plate?
The legal terms that a registration plate must adhere to are:
- be made from a reflective material – for road safety
- black display characters on a white background (front plate)
- black display characters on a yellow background (rear plate)
- not have a background pattern – so as not to distort the readability of your plate
- be marked to show who supplied the registration plate – to assist with thefts and sourcing queries
- be marked with a British Standard number – this is ‘BS AU 145e’ for plates fitted after 1 September 2021
- Characters must not be removable or reflective. If your registration plates were fitted after 1 September 2021, they must also be a single shade of black.
You can find the full list of legal requirements here.
Purchase an electric vehicle number plate today
In this blog, we have highlighted our plate options, and the information you need in order to our stylish customisation option to your vehicle. We aim to have answered the question ‘Can a hybrid have a green number plate?’
We hope that we provided all the right answers and options for all of your plate modification needs.
Bespoke Plates have all the options you can ask for, as an approved registration vendor we can guarantee your modification abides by the DVLA rules whilst offering same-day collections and full fitting service.
To get in touch and discuss the full fitting service we offer with our plates you can talk to one of the members of our team by:
Email info@bespoke-plates.co.uk
Phone 0333 006 7878
Visit in-store
36A Broughton Street,
Manchester,
England,
M8 8NN
