Almost a third of drivers (31%) do not know that the green number plates represent a zero-emission vehicle, according to a new survey by the AA.
More than six months after the green number plates were introduced, the AA asked 14,719 drivers to explain the green slash added to UK number plates. Of those questioned, 63% did correctly state that the green box on the number plate indicated that it was a zero-emission vehicle.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “The fact that one third don’t know the meaning of a green number plate didn’t really surprise me as a number of people either stare at my number plate or have asked me about the green plate.
“However, I think these plates will become a more common site as it is projected that electric vehicles will make up a quarter of new car sales in 2025. These plates indicate there is now a growing range of cars that are going electric and send out a message that this is becoming the new normal.”
Younger drivers were more likely to correctly identify the green plates, with 74% of 18–24-year-olds compared to the over 65s at 58%. Drivers in Wales (59%) and Northern Ireland (54%) were least likely to give the correct answer, whilst those in London were most likely to get it right (66%). The AA added this was perhaps due to the high density of EVs in the capital.
Kind concluded that to encourage a faster uptake of EVs across the UK incentives must remain in place to reduce the purchase price of EVs and home chargers. He said: “Radical moves like cutting VAT on certain EV models would also speed the uptake.”
