Apply for number plates for electric vehicles (E-number plates)
Service description
Vehicles with alternative powertrains can be instantly recognised by their ‘E’ number plate and enjoy a range of benefits. For example, in some cities, you are permitted to use bus lanes in these vehicles.
Vehicles with alternative drive systems include:
- purely battery-powered electric vehicles
- Vehicles that are charged externally via a charging cable, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles
- hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as fuel-cell vehicles
The standard registration number combination is followed by the letter ‘E’.
You are not obliged to apply for an ‘E’ number plate. Upon receiving your application, the registration authority will allocate you an ‘E’ number plate. You may also apply for a personalised number plate, provided one is available.
You can have the number plates embossed by a company specialising in number plate embossing – these are usually located near the vehicle registration office – or you can order the number plates from an online shop of your choice.
You must affix the number plates securely to your vehicle in accordance with the law. Otherwise, you are not permitted to drive on public roads. The number plates must not be reflective, obscured or dirty.
Procedure
When applying in person:
- When you register your vehicle with an alternative powertrain at the counter of your local vehicle registration authority, you will be issued with a number plate combination on the spot.
- With this allocation:
- have the licence plates produced
- Have the stickers affixed to the licence plates by the registration authority
- Attach the licence plates firmly to the vehicle at the designated points
When applying online:
- You can apply for an e-number plate via your registration authority’s i-Kfz portal as part of the registration process. To do this, you will need to enter an electronic insurance number (eVB).
- The allocation of an E-licence plate to your vehicle will:
- entered directly in the central vehicle register
- reported to the insurance company
- sent to you as a notification by email or via download
- Next:
- Have the licence plates embossed
- Attach the stickers of the registration authority to the licence plates
- Attach these to the designated points on the vehicle
Prerequisites
- Your vehicle is fitted with an alternative powertrain or an alternative energy source.
Legal basis
Legal remedy
- Contradiction
What else should I know?
The following types of number plate cannot be combined with the E-number plate:
- Short-term licence plate
- Export licence plate
- red number plates (so-called dealer number plates)