Ireland will begin rolling out green ‘flash’ registration plates for electric vehicles from July 1, in an effort to normalise zero-emission driving and increase public awareness of the transition to cleaner transport.
The new plates will feature a vertical green stripe along the left-hand side and will be available for all new and existing vehicles with zero tailpipe emissions, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and future hydrogen fuel cell models. The initiative is part of the government’s broader Climate Action Plan, which targets a 50% reduction in transport emissions by 2030.
“This is a small but effective step and a way for us to track progress on the ground and to normalise the idea of zero emission driving,” said Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien. He added that the green flash “helps make electric vehicles more visible, giving people and businesses a way to show their commitment to a cleaner transport future.”
The registration system update is being managed in collaboration with the Department of Finance, the Revenue Commissioners, and Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI). Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe noted: “It’s a simple visual marker, but one that reflects a growing shift in how people are thinking about transport.”
The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) welcomed the move, particularly as it aligns with the start of the 252 vehicle registration period in July. “With the positive increase in BEV sales since the start of the year, combined with July being the second highest month for new car sales, we anticipate a swift appearance of electric vehicles carrying the green ‘flash’ plates on our roads,” said SIMI Director General Brian Cooke.
Ireland currently has over 176,000 electric vehicles on its roads and is aiming to transition 30% of the private vehicle fleet to electric models by 2030. Financial incentives remain in place to support adoption, including purchase grants of up to €3,500 and VRT relief of up to €5,000. The green plates are optional and can be fitted via dealerships for new cars or purchased through plate suppliers for existing EVs.