What is a Green Number Plate for Electric Vehicles in India?

Nowadays, you can spot one or two green-coloured number plates of vehicles at signals or just travelling. We all know that a yellow coloured plate is for commercial vehicles and a white coloured plate is for private vehicles, but what are these green number plates? And what are they used for? To get a complete guide on green number plates for electric vehicles in India, read along.

Number plates represent your registration number on the vehicle. The background colour and the colour of the text represent certain types of vehicles. Green background number plates specifically represent EVs or electric vehicles. Green number plates are given to vehicles with 0 emissions, and they enjoy some benefits like preferred parking, reduced toll tax, etc.

Previously, EVs were represented in India through number plates that had a green coloured bar at the bottom-left part of the traditional number plate, indicating it’s an EV. This was changed in 2020. In the late 2020s, the government of India introduced the green number plates – number plates with a green background and white/yellow font. This initiative was taken to further distinguish a 0-emission vehicle from others and encourage people to buy EVs. Just as electric car insurance is mandatory for a four-wheeler and electric bike insurance is mandatory for a two-wheeler, a registered number plate and EV insurance are mandatory for electric vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

Green Number plates are meant for vehicles with zero emissions that are electric. These vehicles are eligible for green number plates:/p>

• Battery Electric Cars (BEVs)

e.g., Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, MG ZS EV

• Electric Two-Wheelers

e.g., Ather 450X, Ola S1 Pro, TVS iQube

• Electric Three-Wheelers

e.g., Mahindra Treo, Piaggio Ape E-Xtra

• Electric Buses

e.g., Olectra BYD electric buses used by state transport

• Electric Commercial Vehicles (goods/passenger)

e.g., Tata Ace EV, Ashok Leyland Circuit Electric




Vehicles that are hybrids, or still use fossil fuels and have some sort of emissions are excluded from having a green number plate. These vehicles are:

• Hybrid vehicles (HEVs/MHEVs)

These include petrol/diesel hybrids like the Toyota Innova HyCross or Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid. They are not fully electric

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Despite having a battery and motor, they also use petrol/diesel engines—hence not eligible

• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), LPG or Hydrogen vehicles

• Petrol or Diesel vehicles

Regardless of fuel efficiency or emission compliance

• Retrofitted EVs

Unless certified under approved standards

Depending on the vehicle category, the text colour on the green plate varies. Here are the main types:

1. Private Electric Vehicles

• Plate Background

Green

• Text Colour

White letters and numbers

• Purpose

Used for personal electric cars, bikes, or scooters

• Example

Tata Nexon EV, Ather 450X

• Vehicle Class

Non-commercial (Personal use)

2. Commercial Electric Vehicles

• Plate Background

Green

• Text Colour

Yellow letters and numbers

• Purpose

Used by electric taxis, autos, buses, and goods carriers

• Example

Mahindra Treo (electric auto), Tata Ace EV (goods carrier)

• Vehicle Class

Commercial/Transport category

3. Electric Vehicles for Rental or Fleet Services (Self-Drive)

• Plate Background

Green

• Text Colour

Black letters and numbers (rare use case)

• Purpose

Typically seen in fleet or leasing services like self-driving EV rentals

Note:This category is evolving and may follow local RTO interpretations.

The benefits of having a green number plate in India include:

• Exemption from road tax and lower registration charges in many states


• Eligible for government EV subsidies under schemes like FAME-II


• Concessions on toll fees and free or priority parking in select areas


• Exemption from driving restrictions in low-emission or pollution-control zones


• Preferential treatment for commercial permits and urban fleet operations


• Signifies eco-friendly ownership and supports sustainable mobility goals

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for a green number plate:

• Fill out form 20 and 21


• Take your EV to the local RTO with all the required documents


• Submit all the documents and pay any applicable fees


• The vehicle will be inspected by the RTO officer


• After inspection, you will receive your registration number and the green number plate.

The Documents Required for Applying a Green Number Plates Are:

• ID proof (Voter ID, Adhaar Card, Pan Card, Driving Licence, etc.)


• Address proof (Adhaar Card, water/electric/telephone bill, Indian Passport, etc.)


• Duly filled out application form for vehicle registration (Form 20)


• Sales certificate of the electric car (Form 21)


• A copy of active insurance for the vehicle


• Temporary registration document


• PAN Card (for commercial vehicles)


• Fitness Certificate (for commercial vehicles)

Here are state-specific policies and incentives for EVs and Green Number Plate Vehicles:

EVs have penetrated the Indian markets, and have steadily gained popularity in the country. As the demand for EVs is growing, so is the demand for green number plates – as it symbolises with EV. But, not all types of EVs can have green number plates. Lets break down some common misconceptions about green number plates:

Are Hybrid Vehicles Eligible for Green Number Plates?

• Misconception

All vehicles with electric motors—including hybrids—qualify for green number plates.

• Clarification

Only 100% battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are eligible. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) use internal combustion engines and therefore do not qualify for green number plates.

Temporary and Permanent Green Plates Are the Same

• Misconception

A temporary green number plate offers the same status and benefits as a permanent one.

• Clarification

Temporary green plates are issued when the EV is newly purchased and pending full registration. They are valid for a short duration (usually up to 30 days). A permanent green number plate is issued after registration with the RTO and is the one that grants eligibility for EV incentives, exemptions, and road privileges.

Green Number Plates Don’t Require Renewal

• Misconception

Once issued, a green number plate doesn’t require any renewal.

• Clarification

While the plate itself doesn’t expire, the vehicle registration linked to it must be renewed periodically as per the RTO guidelines—typically every 15 years for private vehicles. Commercial EVs require more frequent renewals (often every 5 years).

Motor insurance is mandatory for all vehicles running on public roads of India, EV or Not. Comprehensive motor insurance ensures complete financial security for your green number plate vehicle. For legal compliance, you will need third-party motor insurance, for financial safety net consider getting OD or Comprehensive Motor Insurance. EVs repair costs can take a toll on your wallet if you are not insured.

As EVs are seeing a significant growth in India, green number plates are gaining more and more popularity. Here’s how the future of green number plates in India looks like.

• Introduction of Hydrogen Vehicle Plates

The Ministry of Road Transport is developing dual-colored green‑blue plates for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Private vehicles will display white letters, while commercial ones will feature yellow text.

• Convergence of Fuel Variant Indicators

As the EV market matures, look-alike plate issues (e.g., white-on-green) may shift back to standard formats, reserving green plates specifically for 0 emissions vehicles.

• Broader Clean-Energy Vehicle Ecosystem

As India deploys multi-fuel vehicles (hydrogen, biofuel, EV), expect plate diversification - color coding for each fuel type to maintain clarity on road.

The green number plate symbolises towards a sustainable environment – 0 emissions. All electric vehicles that have 0 emissions are eligible for green number plate. And along with the green number plate, there comes a number of benefits from the government itself. It can be either tax reliefs, or direct subsidiaries. Green number plates stand out in the traffic and are a step towards a sustainable future, but do not forget to pair your vehicle with motor insurance!