Ireland introduces green ‘flash’ plates for EVs from July
Ireland will introduce new green ‘flash’ registration plates for electric vehicles from 1st July, aiming to increase public visibility of zero-emission vehicles on Irish roads. Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed the rollout, stating that the green plates are “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’ appears as a vertical green stripe on the existing registration plate design and is available for all new and existing vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions. This includes battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and, in future, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The government describes the move as part of Ireland’s broader efforts to decarbonise transport under the Climate Action Plan, which targets a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030.
“This initiative helps make electric vehicles more visible, giving people and businesses a way to show their commitment to a cleaner transport future,” O’Brien said. The Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners have collaborated with Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) on the rollout to ensure registration systems are ready for the transition. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe added: “It’s a simple visual marker, but one that reflects a growing shift in how people are thinking about transport.”
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) welcomed the introduction, highlighting that the plates coincide with the start of the 252 sales period in July. SIMI Director General Brian Cooke stated: “The industry embraces this increased promotion of battery electric vehicles and their enhanced visibility. With the positive increase in BEV 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.”
Currently, there are 176,680 electric vehicles on Irish roads. Ireland aims to transition 30% of its private vehicle fleet to electric by 2030. Government incentives remain in place to accelerate adoption, including up to €3,500 purchase grants for BEVs, up to €5,000 VRT relief, and generous schemes for taxis and heavy-duty vehicles to switch to electric. The new plates are optional and available via dealerships for new EVs or through registration plate suppliers for retrofitting existing electric vehicles.
Ireland now joins countries such as the UK, Germany and Norway in deploying distinct identifiers for zero-emission vehicles to reinforce public awareness and the market shift towards cleaner transport solutions.
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