UK government consults on green number plate initiative

Thegovernment has confirmed it is overseeing a consultation on the prospect ofintroducing green number plates for fleet and domestic vehicles that generatezero carbon emissions.

It’sbelieved that these special plates would help raise awareness to fleet managersand domestic vehicle owners of the growing number of zero emissionsalternatives, encouraging more businesses and homes to take up thenext-generation vehicle technology.

Localisedinitiatives could also incentivise zero emission vehicle take-up, with free orlow-cost parking mooted as an option for those with green number plates.

TheUK is not the first nation to consider such a move, with the green platesalready fitted to zero emissions cars in China, Canada and Norway.

InOntario, Canada, the province trialled incentivising owners of fully electricvehicles (EVs), giving them free access to toll roads and high-occupancy lanes.The trial worked, with the province experiencing a take-up in EV registrations.

GrantShapps, transport secretary, said: “The UK is in the driving seat of globalefforts to tackle vehicle emissions and climate change and improve air quality,but we want to accelerate our progress.

“Greennumber plates are a really positive and exciting way to help everyone recognisethe increasing number of electric vehicles on our roads.

“Byincreasing awareness of these vehicles and the benefits they bring to theirdrivers and our environment, we will turbo-charge the zero emissionrevolution.”

Thisis the latest facet of the government’s £1.5 billion “Road to Zero Strategy”,with ambitions to make the UK the most beneficial place on Earth to own anddrive an electric vehicle.

TheUK government also aims to become the first nation in the G7 to legislate fornet zero emissions by 2050. In recognition for the growing number of zeroemission vehicles on Britain’s roads, a new zero benefit-in-kind tax rate hasbeen introduced for 100% electric fleet and domestic cars.

IanJohnston, chief executive officer, Engenie, believes that incentivising EVtake-up for businesses and households is the only way to “transition to alow-carbon transport system”.

“Incentivessuch as reduced parking fees for EV drivers, or allowing them to drive in buslanes, is a no-brainer,” added Johnston.

“Thesedevelopments will help to boost driver confidence, alongside the rapidlyexpanding public charging infrastructure network that is now in place acrossthe UK.”