Drivers of zero-emission vehicles could get access to bus lanes and be entitled to free parking, as part of the government’s strategy to clean up road transport.
We reported on this last year when the government launched a consultation over the use of green plates for green vehicles, and highlighted a few of the potential issues then.
Since then, the number of EVs has risen sharply, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting that 25,097 purely electric new cars were registered during the first nine months of the year, more than twice the amount to hit the road in the same period last year.
Electric Vehicles now represent 1.3% of the new car market.
The proposal could see “cleaner vehicles” equipped with either:
- A fully green number plate with black lettering
- The addition of a green flash on the plate
- The addition of a green dot or symbol
While the Department for Transport (DfT) argues that green number plates are “a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognise the increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads”, RAC Head of Roads Policy Nicholas Lyes warned that “they could foster resentment among owners of conventionally fuelled vehicles”.
He said:
“On the face of it, drivers we’ve questioned don’t seem too impressed. Only a fifth think it’s a good idea and the majority said the number plates wouldn’t have the effect of making them any more likely to switch to an electric vehicle.”