New energy vehicles to get special plates in Ordos

Examples of the license plates for new energy vehicles. The first (top) represents non-blade vehicles while the other (bottom) represents blade vehicles. [Photo/cs.com.cn]

Ordos will launch special license plates for new energy vehicles from Jan 1, 2018, according to the local transportation authority. 

With the aim of promoting the development of new energy vehicles and differentiating different types of vehicle, the act is not unique to the city after having been piloted in many other cities such as Shanghai, Wuxi and Nanjing.

The new energy automobiles include plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), blade electric vehicles (BEV) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV), as defined by the national transportation authority. 

There are two types of license plates for new energy vehicles –– one for small new energy vehicles and the other for larger vehicles.

Another special feature is that the new license plate numbers have an extra digit compared to ordinary ones, and the letter contained in the license plate represents the nature of the vehicle. For instance, the letter “D” stands for BEV while the letter “F” stands for BEV and FCEV.

It also makes a difference as to whether the letters are put at the start or end of the license plate. Small vehicles have the letter “D” or “F” at the beginning of their license plate, while the letter is at the end on license plates for larger vehicles.

The local transportation authority revealed that drivers who use new energy vehicles with the specially designed license plates enjoy preferential services in driving and parking, and BEVs do not require a gas emission test.

Local owners of new energy vehicles can get the new license plates at the Ordos vehicle and administration office.

In the future, more cities are expected to use the new license plates for new energy vehicles.