The Green Licence Plate Program in Ontario Explained?
The Green Licence Plate Program provides low-carbon-emitting vehicles with special access to specific driving lanes, including:
- High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes: Normally restricted to vehicles carrying two or more occupants, but vehicles with Ontario green licence plates can use them even with only one person in the vehicle.
- High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes: Allow certain single-occupant vehicles to pay a toll to use lanes normally reserved for high-occupancy vehicles. Vehicles with green licence plates can use these lanes without paying the toll.
Drivers can pay a toll to access this lane. The Green Licence Plate Program provides access to HOT lanes on the Queen Elizabeth Way and other 400-series highways.
Who Is Eligible For The Green Licence Plate Program?
You may be eligible for a green licence plate if you are an individual with a driver’s licence, a business entity, or run a commercial fleet. However, not all vehicle types are eligible for the program.
You can qualify if you drive one of the following vehicles:
Ineligible Green Vehicles
Not all green vehicles are eligible for the Green Licence Plate Program, such as:
- Low-speed vehicles
- Motorcycles and e-bikes
- Off-road vehicles
- Commercial vehicles that weigh more than 3,000 kg
- Conventional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
- Traditional vehicles converted for plug-in capabilities
That said, eligibility may change in the coming years. You can stay updated by referring to the Ontario Ministry of Transport’s list of vehicles. Automobile manufacturers that have made the list of eligible vehicles include:
- Honda
- Jaguar
- Tesla
- Ford
- KIA
- BMW
- Audi
How To Apply For A Green Licence Plate
Green licence plates are available at any ServiceOntario centre. If you’re buying a new car, your dealership will likely process your registration.
If your dealership doesn’t facilitate registration, below are a few things you’ll need to get a green licence plate:
- Ontario driver’s licence or registrant identification number (RIN)
- Proof of identity with a government form that lists your legal name, birthdate, and signature
- Proof of vehicle purchase
- Safety Standards Certificate to ensure the vehicle is safe for driving
- Proof of insurance from an Ontario-licensed provider
If you are registering your vehicle to a business, you’ll need the following:
- Notarized letter of authorization from the business owner or director
- Identification document from the business (e.g., letter of good standing, article of amendment)
- Proof of business address (e.g., utility bill, pink slip)
You cannot currently order green licence plates online or have them personalized.
Does A Green Licence Plate Impact Your Insurance?
No, having a green licence plate won’t directly impact your insurance. Still, it’s important to note that because electric cars are more expensive to maintain, insurance premiums will likely be higher.
The good news is that you can apply for rebates through the Zero-Emission Vehicles Program (iZEV), which can also cover higher insurance rates.
Incentives For Purchasing Zero-Emission Vehicles
While zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) come with higher up-front costs, they do come with incentives that make them worth your investment. iZEV offers two types of incentives:
- Battery-electric, long-range plug-in, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for up to $5,000 in incentives.
- Short-range plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are eligible for up to $2,500 in incentives.
Owners can claim their incentives upfront at their dealership.
Qualifications For Eligibility
For your vehicle to qualify for the iZEV program, it must meet the following standards:
- Aligns with Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- Is used on public streets, highways, and roads
- Has four functioning wheels capable of highway driving
- Is leased for at least 12 months
Vehicles not eligible for iZEV incentives include:
- Vehicles purchased or leased outside of Canada
- Used vehicles that have already been plated
- Two-wheeled vehicles
Should You Buy An Electric Car In Canada?
Aside from the advantages of the Green Licence Plate Program, buying an electric car in Canada can be worth it! On top of special toll access and incentives, you could also reap the following benefits:
If you’re interested in buying an electric car in Canada and just starting your research, you should view our handpicked list of the best top 10 EV models for Canadian roads.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Check green license plate eligibility before buying an EV. Not all hybrid or electric vehicles qualify for the program or federal incentives.
- Factor in insurance costs when comparing EVs. While fuel savings can be significant, some electric vehicles may have higher repair and insurance costs.
- Apply for available incentives at the dealership. Federal EV rebates can reduce the upfront price by thousands of dollars.