Will green number plates boost EV sales?

Electric cars in the UK could soon be sporting a brand-new look. In a bid to tackle climate change and dangerous levels of air pollution, the government could be introducing green number plates for those who drive an electric vehicle. So why the change?

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on the scheme to change the colour of electric vehicles’ number plates as part of the governments £1.5bn strategy to cut road pollution.

The DfT wants to promote zero-emission vehicles and hopes that by making them more desirable, the UK will be able to hit its 2050 target of net-zero emissions.

Drivers of electric vehicles that feature the brand-new number plate design will be able to benefit from cheaper parking and even the option to use bus lanes for free.

However, this idea hasn’t been welcomed by everybody. According to the RAC, the impact of green number plates will be minimal. They believe, that instead of offering cheaper parking and bus lane usage, there should be improved incentives for costs of buying a new electric vehicle.

There is also an argument which states that unless there are more charging points introduced, people aren’t going to be sold entirely on the idea of a car that needs charging – for fear that they could run out of charge mid-journey.

However, back in 2010, a similar incentive was introduced in Ontario, Canada. The city introduced a scheme in which EV drivers could make use of toll lanes without being charged – this subsequently leads to an increase in electric vehicle purchases across Ontario after the scheme was implemented.

The DfT hopes that when drivers see the new plates, they will be swayed into buying an electric vehicle, for fear of missing out on the benefits that come with it.

They hope that by changing societal norms, it will encourage more UK drivers to make more environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to their travel habits and choices.

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.’

Being able to recognise which cars on the roads are green could help inspire people to rethink their decisions when it comes to their next vehicle purchase.

As the UK prepares to have net zero emissions by 2050, more incentives are needed to persuade people to make greener choices.

If you’d like to have your say on whether you believe green number plates are the way forward, the Government has got an online response form where you can express your feelings and ideas which can be found here.

If you’d like to have your say on whether you believe green number plates are the way forward, the Government has got an online response form where you can express your feelings and ideas which can be found here.

Photo Credit – Pixabay