EV owners to get special number plates

PUTRAJAYA: Electric vehicle (EV) owners will soon have their own special plates to differentiate their cars from regular internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, says Anthony Loke.

The Transport Minister said discussions are being held with the respective EV vehicle manufacturers on issuing the special plates for their vehicles.

"We will introduce special plates, which are not the vehicle registration numbers, to differentiate between EV and ICE vehicles soon.

"The plates will not be issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) but by the respective EV manufacturers.

"We are working with them regarding what sort of materials to be used and so forth," he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

However, he did not give a time frame for when the special plates would be introduced, saying only it would be announced soon.

Loke said the ministry is also in talks with those in the car accessories business on the matter to avoid impacting their business.

"We are also working to see how to ensure that the ecosystem for car accessories will also survive," he added.

It was previously reported that Loke found it useful to have distinguishable licence plates for EVs for identification purposes, particularly during rescue operations in the event of untoward incidents.

This was because rescue teams such as from the Fire and Rescue Department face difficulties in distinguishing between EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles based on their appearance.