Electric Vehicle Number Plates (EV Plates)
A Complete Guide for UK Drivers
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular across the UK, and with this rise comes a new way to identify them on the road: electric vehicle number plates, featuring a distinctive green flash. Introduced in 2020, these EV plates highlight cars that produce zero emissions — helping promote cleaner transport.
Whether you drive a Tesla, a fully electric family car, or a hydrogen-powered vehicle, this guide explains everything you need to know about EV number plates, including eligibility, benefits, and how to order legal plates online.
✅ What Are Electric Vehicle Number Plates?
Electric vehicle number plates look just like standard UK plates, but with a green vertical strip on the left-hand side. This green flash identifies vehicles that are:
- 100% electric (BEV — Battery Electric Vehicle)
- Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
These are also commonly referred to as:
- green EV plates
- EV number plates
- electric car plates
- zero-emission plates
You can customise them with optional elements such as:
- A UK identifier with the Union Jack
- A GB marking
- 3D or 4D raised lettering (still road legal when manufactured correctly)
➡️ If you select a plate with the UK identifier, you don’t need a separate UK sticker when driving abroad.
At Official Plates, you can design your number plates for electric cars using our easy plate builder — fully legal and DVLA compliant.
💚 Why Choose EV Number Plates?
1. Stand Out as Zero Emission
Displaying a green flash on your number plate helps signal that your vehicle is environmentally friendly.
It’s a subtle but effective way to show you’re part of the shift to cleaner transport.
2. Access Local Incentives (Where Available)
Some councils currently offer benefits for cars displaying EV plates, such as:
- Free or discounted parking
- Exemption from local congestion or low-emission zones
- Priority lane access (varies by scheme)
These perks are expected to expand over time as more cities encourage EV adoption.
3. Easier European Travel
Choosing a plate with the UK country identifier means you can drive abroad without adding a sticker to your vehicle.
➡️ Especially popular with Tesla owners who frequently travel to Europe.
⚠️ Are Green EV Plates Mandatory?
No — they are optional.
Even without a green flash, your vehicle will still be recognised by the DVLA as zero emission.
Choosing an electric vehicle plate simply provides:
- Added visibility
- Potential incentives
- Travel convenience
🚗 Eligibility: Does Your Car Qualify?
To qualify for EV plates, your vehicle must be fully zero emission.
| Vehicle Type | Eligible for EV Number Plates? |
|---|---|
| ✅ Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) | Yes |
| ✅ Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles | Yes |
| ❌ Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | No — they still use petrol/diesel |
| ❌ Petrol / Diesel / Mild Hybrid | Not eligible |
Your V5C logbook (vehicle registration document) should show “electric” or “hydrogen” under fuel type.
🔧 How to Get Electric Vehicle Plates
If you’re buying a new EV:
Most dealerships automatically fit EV plates. However, ask to confirm — especially if you want a premium design, like 3D or 4D Tesla number plates.
If you already own an EV:
You can order EV number plates online from a DVLA-registered supplier (like Official Plates).
You’ll need:
- Your V5C logbook
- Proof of ID
Cost of EV number plates
| Plate Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Single plate (front or rear) | £20-£80 (Depending on style) |
| Set (front + rear) | £40-£100 (Depending on style) |
Premium options like 4D electric vehicle plates or Tesla number plates are also available.
🌍 EV Plates Around the World
Other countries also use EV-identifying number plates, including:
- Ontario (Canada) — EV drivers can use carpool lanes
- Norway + China — free parking and toll discounts
The trend is global — EV plates help make sustainable transport more visible.
🔮 Future Incentives
As more EVs hit UK roads, councils are expected to introduce more perks for EV plate drivers, such as:
- Reserved EV parking bays
- Charging priority
- Wider congestion exemptions
Displaying EV plates today may unlock benefits tomorrow.
✅ Conclusion
EV number plates (with the green flash) are a smart way to:
- Identify your car as fully electric
- Access potential local incentives
- Travel internationally without additional stickers
Whether you drive a Tesla, MG, BMW, Kia EV, or any electric model, these plates are a small upgrade that makes a big difference.
⚡ Ready to order your EV number plates?
👉 Design your electric vehicle number plates online in 60 seconds:
Same-day production available
DVLA-registered supplier
Legal electric vehicle plates
✅ FAQ: Electric Vehicle Number Plates (EV Plates)
Yes. EV number plates with a green flash are fully legal in the UK and approved by the DVLA. They follow the same rules as standard number plates — the only difference is the green vertical strip indicating zero emissions.
No. Green EV plates are optional, not mandatory. Even without the green flash, your vehicle is still recognised as zero-emission by the DVLA and eligible for EV-related incentives.
No. Plug-in hybrids are not eligible because they still use petrol or diesel. Only fully electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles qualify.
Yes — 3D and 4D lettering is legal as long as the plate is manufactured to BS AU 145e standards. Many EV and Tesla owners choose 4D plates for a premium look.
Your exemption from ULEZ / Clean Air Zones / congestion charges comes from your vehicle status, not the plate itself. However, some councils may offer extra perks (parking, local exemptions) specifically for cars displaying EV plates.
If your EV plate includes a UK identifier and Union Jack, you do not need to apply a separate UK sticker when travelling to Europe
To buy electric vehicle plates legally, you need:
Your V5C logbook (showing “electric” or “hydrogen”) or another document from DVLA
Proof of ID
All DVLA-registered number plate suppliers must check these documents.
Yes. If you already own an electric car, you can switch to EV plates anytime. There’s no need to inform the DVLA, as your vehicle is already recorded as zero-emission.
Prices are similar to regular plates. Most suppliers charge around:
£20 for a single plate
£30 for a full set (front + rear)
Premium 4D plates cost more.
Yes, as long as the supplier is DVLA registered.
Official Plates allows you to design and order fully legal EV number plates online, with same-day production available.
Leave a Reply