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A third of drivers don’t know what green number plates represent

08 July 2021

A new survey of 14,719 drivers by the AA between June 8 – 16 2021 has found that a third of drivers are unsure as to what green number plates represent. 

Whilst 63 per cent of respondents correctly answered that a green number plate indicates that the vehicle is a zero-emissions vehicle, 31 per cent were entirely stumped and 6 per cent gave an incorrect answer.

Misconceptions about green number plates included:

• 274 people said it meant the driver could park in green zones.
• 53 people thought the driver was an Irish National.
• 36 people said it meant the driver was a member of the Green Party.
• 35 people said it meant the driver voted Brexit.

Interestingly, a higher proportion of young drivers (18 to 24 year-olds) correctly identified the purpose of green number plates in comparison with those over the age of 65, with 74 per cent and 58 per cent respectively.

AA president Edmund King, who was one of the first in the UK to get a green number plate in December 2020, said “The fact that one third don’t know the meaning of a green numberplate 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.

“To encourage a faster uptake, incentives must remain in place to reduce the purchase price of EVs and home chargers. Radical moves like cutting VAT on certain EV models would also speed the uptake”.

Contract hire and fleet management

Marshall Leasing is a Bank of Ireland-owned business which offers a commercial and flexible approach to business contract hire, contract purchase, sale and leaseback for cars and LCVs fleets and management of purchased fleets.

We are particularly experienced in the area of electric vehicles. 

If you would like to find out more about our contract hire and fleet management services, please get in touch with us at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541. Alternatively, please complete our contact form.

Image courtsey of the Department for Transport. 

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