Advantages and requirements for electric cars

The advance of electric cars can hardly be stopped. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, there have been over 350,000 more electric cars on Germany’s roads since last year. This is partly due to the many advantages that an e-plate brings with it. We present the most important bonuses.

How do I get an e-mark?

The coveted license plate with the capital letter “E” after the combination of numbers is only reserved for drivers of electric cars. However, the actual regulation behind it is somewhat more complex, the framework conditions are in the Electromobility Act (EmoG) fixed. It saysthat only the following vehicle types may receive an e-plate:

• Battery powered electric vehicles
• Cars with fuel cells that get their energy from hydrogen
• Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

But even if these requirements are met, the cars need one Minimum range of 40kmand they are allowed to emit no more than 50g CO² per kilometer. If that is not a problem either, you can apply for the E-mark at your registration office. The regulations for the E license plate also apply to seasonal and variable license plates. Incidentally, the E-mark is not mandatory.

What does the registration office need for the E-mark?

If the vehicle meets all of the above requirements, the only option left is to go to the office. As with every (new) registration, you have to Registration certificates 1 and 2 bring along, as well as one Proof of insurance (the eVB number). The electronic confirmation of insurance is a seven-digit alphanumeric code that you enter after taking out motor vehicle liability insurance (for example from ARAG) received from your insurance company.

In addition, you need proof that you have passed the HU (main inspection) or TÜV, your identity card and the old number plates of the car (provided that there are any). It may also be the case that proof of compliance with the requirements of the EmoG is required. A green environmental sticker is also mandatory – as strange as that may sound. You have to pay the registration fee as well as number plates and possibly also the desired number plate. The costs vary depending on the registration office and place of residence, but should not be more than around 40 euros.

You can read here what to do if you have misplaced your registration certificates:

E-mark: What are the advantages?

Depending on how exactly the municipalities (want to) implement the following advantages, the purchase really pays off. After all, they are the only ones who decide which special regulations apply in their municipal area.

This is a first possible privilege that the e-plate opens up to drivers discounted or even free parking in public parking lots – a dream for commuters who would otherwise be desperately looking for a parking space in the city. There is also the option of charging the car’s battery free of charge at the local municipal utility. The two advantages partly overlap here, because only electric vehicles are allowed to park at charging stations.

Sometimes it is even allowed separate lanes such as using bus lanes. Some are also less common Access restrictions or driving bans not for motor vehicles with E-plates – so free travel ahead!

However, it is advisable to find out about the regulations that apply in your own region before you take advantage of the benefits just mentioned. Because what is allowed in one municipality can be punished as an administrative offense in the next.

There are numerous myths about electric cars. In the video we clarify a few: