Auto Trader : September's number plate change expects to see boom in green plates

Press release September's number plate change expects to see boom in green plates 18th Aug 2021

• Ahead of September's number plate change, Auto Trader reveals almost two thirds (62%) of car buyers don't know what a green plate is

• Despite this, one in 10 new car registrations are electric, according to the SMMT, so there is an expected boom in green plates for September
• 61% of those who are looking to buy electric for their next car say they would be proud to use a green number plate
• To find cars in stock and available now, visit:https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/deals

Ahead of September's number plate change, new figures released by Auto Trader, the UK's largest digital marketplace for new and used cars, has revealed that 62% of car buyers don't even know what green number plates are.

This is despite the SMMT forecasting a 59% rise in registrations of purely electric vehicles in 2021[1], pushing its market share up to 9.5% - making one in every 10 new registrations electric.

This spike in electric vehicle registrations has led to an expected boom in the number of green plates used across the UK.

In the Auto Trader car buyer survey, when asked if they were to buy an electric car, would they want a green number plate, 50% said yes. Once green number plates had been explained to them, 61% said they would be proud to display one on their car.

However, one in five (18%) said they'd still never consider buying an electric car, showing there's some way to go yet to change minds and attitudes.

Auto Trader's Rory Reid says: 'Since green plates were launched in December 2020 as an easy identifier for zero-emission vehicles, pick up of these has started to grow, albeit slowly. As they are not yet compulsory, not all zero-emissions cars will have them, especially if they were on the roads before 2020.

'Remember that if you have a fully zero-emissions car - sorry, hybrids aren't included - then you can apply to the DVLA for a green number plate. And if you're buying a brand new electric car ready for the September plate change, then you can ask the dealership to supply one instead of a regular number plate.'

To find brand new cars in stock and available now, visit: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/deals.

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About Auto Trader

Auto Trader Group plc is the UK and Ireland's largest automotive marketplace. Our marketplace sits at the heart of the car buying process, with the largest number of buyers and the biggest choice of trusted stock.

Auto Trader exists to change how the UK shops for cars by providing the best online car buying experience and enabling all retailers to sell online. We are building stronger partnerships with our customers, using our voice and influence to drive more environmentally friendly vehicle choices and creating an inclusive and diverse culture for all of our people.

Auto Trader listed on the London Stock Exchange in March 2015 and is a member of the FTSE 100 Index.

For more information, please visit https://plc.autotrader.co.uk/who-we-are/about-us/

[1]https://www.smmt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/WEBSUM-SMMT-CARLCV-MARKET-OUTLOOK-Q3-30072021.pdf