Green ‘Flash’ Registration Plates for Electric Vehicles Rolling Out Next Month
A new green ‘flash’ on registration plates will soon make it easier to spot vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions on Irish roads. From July, the green ‘flash’ plates will be available for all eligible new and existing electric vehicles. The new plate will look the same as current Irish registration plates but with an added green vertical stripe.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, confirmed today that the rollout of the new plates will begin in the coming weeks, following final preparations. The green ‘flash’ is designed to give visibility to vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions, supporting the shift to cleaner, greener transport across the country.
Confirming the rollout, Minister O’Brien said:
“This initiative helps make electric vehicles more visible, giving people and businesses a way to show their commitment to a cleaner transport future. It’s a small but effective step and a way for us to track progress on the ground and to normalise the idea of zero emission driving.”
“The green flash is another part of our transition to electric. This year, over €100 million will be allocated to support EV adoption and infrastructure, with continued government supports and incentives to make EVs more accessible.”
The green ‘flash’ plate is available for all vehicles that produce zero emissions at the tailpipe. This includes fully battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and, in future, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The new plate can be fitted to cars, vans, motorbikes, trucks and buses that emit no CO2 emissions.
If you're buying a new electric vehicle, your dealership can provide you with the green plate and for existing EV owners, you can opt to retrofit your existing plates with the green ‘flash’ through registration plate suppliers.
Ireland now joins countries like the UK, Germany and Norway in introducing distinct plates for electric vehicles. These identifiers are becoming a common way to highlight the presence of zero-emission vehicles on the roads.
The new registration plates will help create awareness around the changing societal norm as more people move away from polluting vehicles towards zero emission alternatives. Green ‘flash’ registration plates will allow consumers to demonstrate their choice of a green product - research shows that this can have a positive influence on willingness of others to invest in more sustainable products.
The Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners have worked closely with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI)/Department of Transport on the introduction of the new plates.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, said:
“We are pleased to support the implementation of green ‘flash’ plates for vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions. It’s a simple visual marker, but one that reflects a growing shift in how people are thinking about transport. Revenue has ensured that all registration systems are aligned for a smooth rollout.”
In support of the industry, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has collaborated with ZEVI/Department of Transport to support the implementation of the new registration plate.
SIMI Director General, Brian Cooke, said: “The new electric vehicle green 'flash' on registration plates debuts alongside the commencement of the industry’s 252 sales period. The industry embraces this increased promotion of battery electric vehicles and their enhanced visibility. With the positive increase in battery electric vehicle sales since the start of the year, combined with July being the second highest month for new car sales, we anticipate a swift appearance of electric vehicles carrying the green ‘flash’ plates on our roads.”
The green ‘flash’ registration plates are optional and apply to all fully electric vehicles, including cars, vans, motorbikes and trucks.
