- One in five (18%) say it may influence them to switch to an
EV*
- Almost half (49%) considering buying an EV when they next
switch cars**
- AA president one of first to choose a green plate for his EV
New green number plates are rolled out from today (8) for
zero-emission vehicles and could influence almost one in five to
switch to an EV, according to research from the AA.
As part of the government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions
by 2050, drivers will be encouraged to make the switch to
electric vehicles through the introduction of green number
plates. The plates will make it easier for cars to be identified
as zero emission vehicles, helping local authorities design and
put in place new policies to incentivise people to own and drive
them.
Drivers could benefit from local initiatives such as cheaper
parking and cost-free entry into zero-emission zones where those
with a green number plate will be recognised as eligible.
The plates will be identifiable by a green flash on the left-hand
side and will be available for zero emission vehicles only.
Edmund King OBE, AA president, said: “Most people choose an EV
because they are great to drive, better for the environment and
have lower running costs. However, almost one in five say the
introduction of green number plates may influence them to switch
to an EV so it is a move that we welcome.
“To achieve government targets on zero emissions we need to
encourage more drivers to switch and almost half of AA members
say they will consider an EV when they next change their car.
“I first drove an EV in 2001 and they have come on in leaps and
bounds since then. Today I pleased to be one of the first to get
a green plate on my EV.”
Eligibility
Only vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions (e.g.
fully battery electric, or hydrogen fuel cell) will have the
option of displaying the plates. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids
(including range extenders) are not eligible. This applies to all
vehicle types – cars, vans, taxis, motorbikes; and buses, coaches
and HGVs.
Support
In an AA survey of 19,350 drivers conducted in April 2019, 37% of
respondents agreed that newly registered BEVs should be fitted
with green number plates to differentiate them from normal
petrol/diesel vehicles. Some 40% didn’t know or had no opinion.
Non-mandatory
Green number plates should be supplied with new eligible
vehicles, unless the customer does not want them.
Vehicle retailers and dealers should therefore implement a
process that provides for this.
For existing eligible vehicles, the vehicle
keeper can approach a Registered
Number Plate Supplierwith original documents to prove their
name and address and show they’re allowed to use the registration
number on their vehicle, to purchase a new set of plates.
When will drivers switch? **
Almost half of drivers (49%) in an AA survey in October said they
would consider buying an electric car when the next changed their
car. This was an 2% increase compared to February 2020.
Younger respondents were most likely to consider buying an
electric car (18-24’s 58%, 25-34s 60% and 35-44s 59%). Londoners
were the most likely region (60%) to consider buying an electric
car. Women were also slightly more likely to consider an electric
car (51%) than men (49%), as were wealthier respondents (ABs,
57%).
Of those who would not consider buying an electric vehicle almost
two thirds (64%) said they are too expensive, followed by the
worry of battery range (62%) and not having enough charging
points available (61%). Half of members (50%) who would not
consider an electric car worry about the re-sale value.
ends
Notes to editors
*Populus (now Yonder) received 17,633 responses from AA
members to its on-line poll conducted in December 2019
** Yonder received 16,201 responses from AA members to its
online poll between 13th – 19th October 2020. Yonder is a member
of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For more
details, please go to www.yonderconsulting.com.
Brexit: From 1 January it will no longer be
permissible to fix a new number plate displaying a Euro symbol.
Number plates already fixed to vehicles are unaffected. From 1
September 2021, a new British Standard for number plates will be
introduced which will mean all current style number plates that
are first fixed to a vehicle from that date must meet the
technical requirements contained in that standard.
