Shanghai has announced that it will be extending its policy of providing free license plates for purely electric vehicles for another year, allowing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered in the city to continue benefiting from this initiative until December 31, 2025. This policy extension comes as a relief for many electric vehicle owners in Shanghai who have been able to enjoy the benefits of free license plates for their vehicles.
The city has also made some adjustments to the requirements for applicants seeking free BEV license plates. For individuals without a Shanghai hukou, they will now need to have paid social insurance or personal income tax in Shanghai for 36 of the 48 months prior to their application date. This slight relaxation in the requirements gives more flexibility to applicants who may have had some interruptions in their social insurance or tax payments.
It is worth noting that Shanghai has been offering free license plates for new energy vehicles (NEVs) for several years, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), BEVs, and fuel cell vehicles. However, starting from January 1, 2023, the city discontinued offering free license plates for PHEVs, including extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models.
Shanghai’s move to provide free license plates for BEVs aligns with its efforts to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce emissions in the city. The auction system for license plates for conventional fuel vehicles in Shanghai requires successful bidders to pay over RMB 90,000 yuan ($12,330), making the free license plates for BEVs a valuable incentive for electric vehicle owners.
The city is home to major electric vehicle manufacturers such as Nio and Tesla, both of which produce only BEVs at their facilities in Shanghai. Tesla recently completed the construction of its Shanghai Megafactory and has begun trial production, further solidifying Shanghai’s position as a key hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.
Overall, Shanghai’s decision to extend the free license plate policy for BEVs demonstrates its commitment to sustainable transportation and encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles in the city. With the relaxed requirements for applicants, more individuals will have the opportunity to benefit from this initiative and contribute to a greener environment.
