- green number plates get the green light as the UK accelerates towards a zero-emission
future
- initiative could unlock cheaper parking and free entry into
zero-emission zones, helping pave the way for cleaner air in our
towns and cities
- plates will be identifiable by a green flash on the left-hand
side, raising awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads
Green number plates will be seen on roads for the first time from
today, (8 December 2020) Transport Minister has announced, as the country prepares to accelerate
the transition to electric vehicles as part of our commitment to
reach net-zero by 2050.
The Transport Minister added that the move underlined the
government’s commitment to tackling poor air quality in the
UK’s towns and cities. It
builds on last month’s announcement to end the sale of new petrol
and diesel cars and vans in the UK by 2030, putting the UK on course to be the fastest G7 country
to decarbonise these vehicles.
The introduction of the new plates on UK roads will raise awareness of the
growing number of zero-emission vehicles, as well as helping
motorists benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper parking
and cost-free entry into zero-emission zones.
Transport Minister said:
We are going further and faster than any other major economy to
decarbonise transport, improving air quality in our towns and
cities in the process and harnessing the power of clean, green
technology to end the UK’s
contribution to climate change by 2050.
Not only will green number plates raise awareness of the
increasing number of cleaner vehicles on our roads, they could
also unlock a number of incentives for drivers. It’s clear
there has never been a better time to make the switch to a
zero-emission vehicle.
The new number plates can be retro-fitted to any existing
vehicles, including cars, vans, buses, HGVs, taxis and
motorcycles as long as they emit no CO2 emissions at the
tailpipe. They will consist of a green flash on the left-hand
side of the plate and can be combined with the Union flag and
national identifiers already permitted by the regulations.
The move follows the conclusion of a consultation, inviting
comments from the public, local authorities and industry
stakeholders from a range of sectors including motoring and
consumer groups and vehicle manufacturers, on how best to
introduce green number plates.
The introduction of the new plates follows the first-ever meeting
of ministers from the world’s largest car markets last month, to
form a new Zero Emission Vehicle Transition Council. Hosted by
the Business Secretary and the Transport Secretary, the council
aims to help accelerate the pace of the global transition, with
further council meetings to take place in 2021, including at the
2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as
COP26).
As host of COP26, the UK is
leading the way to double the pace of the global transition to a
greener future, working with international partners, governments,
industry, businesses and civil society to make the transition to
zero-emission vehicles easier, cheaper and faster for all.
To align with the government’s net-zero ambitions, last month the
Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) which is the
government unit responsible for overseeing the transition to
zero-emission cars and vans, was renamed to The Office for Zero
Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
