EV Number Plates
Road Legal Electric Vehicle Plates
with Printed or Gel Badge —
Made in the UK
What Are EV Number Plates?
Since December 2020, drivers of zero-emission electric vehicles in the UK have been able to display a green flash on the left side of their number plate — the official identifier for fully electric vehicles. From September 2021, this was extended to include an EV badge — the letters "EV" displayed in the green section alongside the flash, making your vehicle's zero-emission status clearly visible.
EV number plates are road legal standard number plates with the addition of this green identifier on the left side. Every other legal requirement remains exactly the same — correct font, correct sizing and spacing, reflective backgrounds, and BS AU 145e compliant materials. The only difference is the green flash and optional EV badge.
At PlateBoss, we supply road legal EV plates with a choice of printed or gel EV badge, available across our full range of plate styles — from standard replacement plates through to 3D gel, 4D, bevelled, and 4D gel finishes.
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Official Road Legal Green EV Identifier
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Choice of Printed or Gel Badge Finish
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DVLA Approved & BS AU 145e Compliant
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Made In The UK by PlateBoss
Printed Badge or Gel Badge — Which Should You Choose?
The EV identifier is available in two finishes at PlateBoss. The difference is subtle but noticeable, particularly when paired with a premium plate style.
Printed EV Badge — +£5
The green flash and EV lettering are printed directly onto the plate surface. Clean, flat, and compliant. The right choice if you're ordering standard replacement plates or want to keep the look understated. On a standard printed plate this looks perfectly correct and road legal.
Gel EV Badge — +£10
The green flash and EV lettering are finished with a gel coating, giving the badge a slightly raised, glossy appearance that matches the premium feel of gel and acrylic plate styles. If you're ordering 3D gel plates, 4D plates, 4D gel plates, or bevelled plates, the gel badge is the more consistent choice — it matches the finish level of the rest of the plate rather than introducing a flat printed element into an otherwise premium set.
Our recommendation: Match the badge to the plate. Standard or replacement plates — printed badge. Any premium raised finish — gel badge.
EV Side Badges Are Available In The Below Number Plate Types
The EV badge option is available when ordering any of the following plate styles. Select your preferred style and add the badge during customisation:
-25%
Original price was: £40.00.£29.99Current price is: £29.99.
-36%
Original price was: £110.00.£69.99Current price is: £69.99.
-28%
Original price was: £90.00.£64.99Current price is: £64.99.
Why Choose PlateBoss?
- Every plate manufactured in-house at our Hounslow workshop
- DVLA registered number plate supplier
- BS AU 145e compliant materials throughout
- 3-year warranty on all plates
- 500+ five-star Google reviews
- Free tracked UK delivery — or collect same day from Hounslow
- Order before 2pm for same-day dispatch
Are Green EV Strips A Legal Requirement?
EV Badges, Green EV Strips or Green EV Flashes as they are commonly referred to are NOT a legal requirement in the UK.
The purpose of these green markings is to help local authorities identify EV vehicles.
Do they look good on EV Vehicles? Yes, we think so!
Are EV Number Plates Legal in the UK?
Yes, EV number plates are legal in the UK for drivers of fully electric zero-emission vehicles. The green flash identifier was introduced in December 2020 and the EV badge option followed in September 2021. Both are governed by the same DVLA regulations and BS AU 145e standard that apply to all UK number plates.
To be eligible to display the green identifier, your vehicle must be a fully zero-emission electric vehicle. Hybrid vehicles — including plug-in hybrids — are not eligible for the green flash under current DVLA rules. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, check your V5C logbook which will confirm your vehicle's fuel type.
At PlateBoss, our EV number plates are manufactured to meet all current DVLA requirements. The green identifier is applied correctly to the left side of the plate as required by law, and all other legal display requirements — font, sizing, spacing, reflectivity, and supplier markings — remain fully compliant.
What Is the Green Flash on EV Number Plates?
The green flash is an optional identifier displayed on the left side of a number plate on fully electric zero-emission vehicles. It consists of a green vertical stripe on the left edge of the plate, with or without the letters "EV" displayed within it. It was introduced to help local authorities identify zero-emission vehicles for purposes such as clean air zone access, zero-emission parking zones, and other EV-specific benefits that may be introduced by local councils.
Displaying the green flash is entirely optional — there is no legal requirement to show it even if your vehicle qualifies. Many EV drivers choose to display it to take advantage of local authority benefits, or simply to identify their vehicle's zero-emission status.
Printed vs Gel EV Badge — What's the Difference?
The printed EV badge is applied flat to the plate surface — clean, compliant, and the right choice for standard printed plates. The gel EV badge has a glossy raised finish that matches the aesthetic of premium plate styles such as 3D gel, 4D, and bevelled plates. Both are road legal. The gel badge costs £5 more than the printed option. For premium plate styles, the gel badge is the more considered choice.
Which Plate Style Should I Choose for My EV?
The EV badge works across all our plate styles and the right choice depends on your vehicle and your preference for the overall finish. For a subtle, premium upgrade that suits most electric vehicles, 3D gel plates with a gel EV badge is our most popular combination. For a sharper, more modern look, 4D plates with a gel badge work particularly well on newer electric vehicles. For a refined, understated finish, bevelled plates with a gel badge are consistently one of our most requested EV combinations.
Most Popular EV Plate Combinations
These are the styles our EV customers order most often — all with gel badge.
Ordering Number Plates Online...
Made Easy
Ordering your number plates online couldn't be simpler with PlateBoss.co.uk
FAQs
Are EV number plates legal in the UK?
Yes — EV number plates with the green flash identifier are fully road legal for drivers of fully electric zero-emission vehicles. The green identifier was introduced in December 2020 and the EV badge option followed in September 2021. Both comply with DVLA regulations and BS AU 145e. All PlateBoss EV plates are manufactured to meet these standards.
Can hybrid cars display the green EV identifier?
No — under current DVLA rules, the green flash is only available to fully zero-emission electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids are not eligible. Check your V5C logbook to confirm your vehicle's fuel type if you are unsure.
Do I have to display the green flash if I have an electric vehicle?
No — it is entirely optional. There is no legal requirement to display the green identifier even if your vehicle qualifies. Many EV drivers choose to display it to take advantage of local council benefits such as free parking or clean air zone exemptions, or simply to show their vehicle's zero-emission status.
What is the difference between the printed and gel EV badge?
The printed badge is flat, applied directly to the plate surface — clean and compliant, suited to standard printed plates. The gel badge has a glossy, slightly raised finish that matches premium plate styles such as 3D gel, 4D, and bevelled plates. The gel badge costs £5 more than the printed option. For any premium plate style, the gel badge is the more consistent choice.
Which plate styles are the EV badge available on?
The EV badge is available on our standard replacement plates, 3D gel plates, 4D plates, 4D gel plates, bevelled plates, and short plates. It is not currently available on hex, oversized, or import plates.
What documents do I need to order EV plates?
The same documents required for all number plate orders — proof of identity and proof of entitlement to the registration. Your V5C logbook will also confirm your vehicle's zero-emission fuel type. Full details are on our valid documents page.
How long does delivery take?
Standard delivery is free tracked Royal Mail 48-hour. Upgrade to tracked 24-hour for £5 at checkout. Orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day. Same-day collection is available from our Hounslow workshop.
Ready to Order Your EV Plates?
Choose your style, add your EV badge, upload your documents, and we'll have them ready fast.
