The BVRLA has responded to the Office for Low Emission Vehicles consultation on the introduction of green number plates for ultra-low emission vehicles.
The BVRLA welcomes any initiative by the Government to encourage and incentivise the uptake of electric vehicles. However, if green number plates are to act as an effective incentive it is imperative that it comes with practical tangible benefits such as access to bus lanes, subsidised parking etc.
If the management of incentives is to be done locally then it is crucial that there is guidance and funding for local authorities, especially around the management of technology such as ANPR which could be expensive to install and administer.
The BVRLA supports the Department for Transport’s recommendation that green number plates should be restricted to vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions only because it will be easy for local authorities to enforce and vehicle operators to understand and abide by. This also means that the standard of vehicle required for a green number plate can be maintained in the long-term.
The association also stressed that the road to zero emission must be phased, providing businesses and individuals with the opportunities and incentives to upgrade to less polluting vehicles, including hybrids.
BVRLA members support the recommendation of a non-mandatory but opt-out system as it allows drivers and operators to choose not to have a green number plate if they think it will create any barrier to their operations, for example, when driving abroad.
