Hungary to Remove Green Number Plates from Hybrid Vehicles
Hungary is making significant changes to the incentive system related to green number plates for vehicles. Starting from 1 September, only fully electric and zero-emission vehicles will qualify for green number plates. This means that plug-in hybrid vehicles and those classified in the extended-range environmental category will no longer be eligible for green plates. Owners of these vehicles will need to replace their green plates with white ones by 30 November 2026.
The decision to revoke green number plates for plug-in hybrid vehicles comes after concerns about the environmental impact of these vehicles. The European Court of Auditors found that real-world emissions from plug-in hybrids were significantly higher than those measured in laboratory conditions, mainly due to the more frequent use of internal combustion engines.
Furthermore, there has been an increase in larger hybrid vehicles that qualify for green incentives but are more polluting than typical fossil fuel-powered vehicles. As a result, the Hungarian Ministry of Construction and Transport has decided to prioritize fully electric and zero-emission vehicles for green number plates.
Owners of plug-in hybrid and extended-range hybrid vehicles will need to comply with the new regulations and replace their green plates by the specified deadline. This move also signals a review of the tax incentives associated with green number plates, indicating a shift away from luxury SUVs benefiting from these incentives.
Overall, Hungary’s decision to revamp the incentive system for green number plates aligns with an effort to promote more environmentally friendly vehicles and reduce the impact of polluting vehicles on the environment.
