Is there any benefit to having "EV" license plate? I'm in Massachusetts, but the same question may apply to other states as well. I have a standard plate right now but I guess I had the option when it was being registered, and I can still change over for a fee. But I'm not aware if there is anything to be gained. Any thoughts?
I’m in MA also. Though I think most of the benefit is self-congratulation/advertising for having an EV, I’m advised that if there’s an accident, this lets first-responders know that there’s potentially a shock/electrical fire hazard. I got plates. It was not a big deal, though did require off-peak-hours planned trip to RMV. Note that you do NOT need to bring your old plates in, but you DO need your insurance company to fill out and sign part of the form before you go. Sent from my iPhone using Inside EVs
Can you provide more detail on this? What form do I need, and what does the insurer need to do? The RMV site is vague about this. I agree that there’s no tangible benefit in MA; I just like the idea of promoting electric cars.
Some states, like Georgia, only give you HOV lane access if you have an EV (technically AFV) plate. PHEV owners here can choose between having the EV plate and paying the $200 annual registration fee for an EV + getting HOV access, or having a different plate + no EV fee + no EV access.
Like you, I liked the advertisement for EV vehicles. The angle about helping first responders stay safe was a motivator too. The Massachusetts-specific information: You need to get form RMV-3, and the insurance company has to (under instruction for "Swap to a different plate number or plate type", on the back) fill out and sign boxes 27, 28, and 29 before you go to the RMV. That is: policy effective date, policy type, and (most important) a signature stating that you have insurance. The form is available for you to download online but in practice, the insurance companies do this all the time so my agent just sent me a pdf of the signed form, and I put some vehicle-specific information from the registration. You don't need your old plates at the RMV. $20 fee. At the last minute, in a huge line, someone looked at my form and whisked me past the long line for license renewal and to a shorter line. I wish I knew the magic phrase to describe this--maybe plate swap?
Here's from when the plates were first announced: https://blog.mass.gov/transportation/rmv/rmv-electric-vehicle-plate/ My dealer tried to resist providing one, but I insisted (as I do think the first-responder safety aspect is significant, especially on a less-common vehicle that may not be immediately recognized) and it turned out they had them readily available after all.
