Electric Vehicles

Ontario's Green Plates

To promote the adoption of electric vehicles, special green licence plates will be available for eligible plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Customers may choose to purchase these plates for their electric vehicle or retain their existing passenger plates.

Which vehicles are eligible for the green plate?

Only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) that are eligible for an Electric Vehicle Incentive Program incentive are eligible for the green licence plate. All registrant types (e.g., individuals, companies, joint and fleet) are eligible for the green plate. Used 2010 or later model year such PHEVs and BEVs are also eligible for the plate, but not the incentive.

Commercial vehicles (weighing 3,000 kg or more), low-speed vehicles, e-bikes, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, current market hybrids and EV conversions are not eligible for a green plate. Only vehicles for sale in Ontario are listed. There may also be vehicles currently operating in Ontario in limited numbers as part of a pilot study or test program with green plates.

What are the benefits of green plates?

Vehicles with green plates will have priority access to Ontario's high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes until June 30, 2015, even if there is only one person in the vehicle. HOV lanes are otherwise reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people.

How do I get my green plate?

Green plates can be acquired through the normal vehicle plating process at ServiceOntario Centres. Please note, on-line orders and personalized green plates are not available. As with the purchase of any new licence plates, the regular fee of $20 applies ($10 for the plate and $10 for a new vehicle permit).

Access to High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes

Drivers of electric vehicles with green plates will be granted access to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on 400-series highways until June 30, 2015, even if there is only one individual in the car.

What is an HOV lane?

High occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes are lanes reserved for the use of passenger vehicles carrying at least two people and busses. They are designed to help move more people in fewer vehicles through congested areas.

Refer to MTO's HOV lane website for more information about HOV lanes.

Which 400-series highways have HOV lanes?

There are currently HOV lanes on Highways 403 and 404 in the Greater Toronto Area and on Highway 417 in Ottawa. New HOV lanes are under construction on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Halton Region and additional HOV lanes are planned on Highway 417 in Ottawa.

How will I know when I can access HOV lanes?

New informational signage will be located at the entry and exit points where drivers choose to move in or out of provincial HOV lanes. The signs will indicate that access is permitted for drivers with green plates, even if there is only one individual in the car.

For more information about green plates and HOV lanes

• Consult the list of vehicles eligible for green plates
• Refer to Frequently Asked Questions
• Refer to MTO's HOV lane website
• Contact ServiceOntario at 1-800-387-3445 or 416-235-2999