Have you ever seen a car with a green number plate and thought what it means? In India green number plates are used for electric vehicles. The colour of the letters on the plate tells if the electric vehicle is privately owned or used for commercial purposes. Keep reading to know in detail.
Which Cars Have Green Number Plates?
Electric cars have green number plates in India. The green background identifies the vehicle as a battery operated vehicle. The colour of the letters depends on how the vehicle is registered. Private electric vehicles have white letters while commercial electric vehicles have yellow letters.
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What Does a Green Number Plate With White Letters Mean?
A green number plate with white letters is used for private electric vehicles. It is mainly issued to electric vehicles used for personal purposes. The private electric cars fall under this category.
What Does a Green Number Plate With Yellow Letters Mean?
A green number plate with yellow letters is used for commercial or transport electric vehicles. It is used for battery operated transport vehicles. Electric taxis can fall under this category.
Why Do Electric Cars Have Green Number Plates?
Green plates make electric vehicles easy to identify. They help identify EVs from petrol and diesel vehicles. The system gives battery operated vehicles a separate identity. It helps authorities identify EVs for applicable policies and incentives.
Do Hybrid Cars Have Green Number Plates?
A green number plate is given to battery operated vehicles under the relevant registration rules. By simply having an electric motor system does not mean that a vehicle will receive a green number plate. The vehicle’s registration category and applicable rules determine the number plate.
When Were Green Number Plates Introduced?
The green registration mark for battery operated vehicles was introduced in 2018. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified the rules. The relevant notification is G.S.R. 749(E). It was issued on 7 August 2018.
Number Plate Colour Vehicle Type Who Uses It?
| License Plate Style | Vehicle Category | Examples / Usage |
| White with Black Letters | Private vehicle | Cars, bikes, and other vehicles used for personal purposes |
| Yellow with Black Letters | Commercial/Transport vehicle | Taxis, buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles |
| Green with White Letters | Private electric vehicle | Privately owned electric cars and other EVs |
| Green with Yellow Letters | Commercial electric vehicle | Electric taxis and other commercial EVs |
| Black with White Letters | Self-drive rental/commercial vehicle | Certain rental vehicles used without a driver |
| Red with White Letters | Temporary registration | Vehicles with temporary registration |
| Blue with White Letters | Diplomatic/consular vehicle | Vehicles associated with foreign diplomatic missions and consulates |
| Red with State Emblem of India | High constitutional authorities | Vehicles used by specified constitutional authorities |