Buying a Petrol Car in China Could Mean Waiting 10 Years for a Number Plate

The presence of electric vehicles in China is not merely a trend but a deeply rooted reality on the roads. In major cities like Guangzhou, battery-powered vehicles have become commonplace, even dominating public transportation. One of the most striking sights is the difference in number plate colours. In China, the colour of the plate serves as the primary identifier for the type of engine used. “Green plates are for new energy vehicles, electric. Blue and yellow are for petrol (ICE),” said Afung in Guangzhou, China, on Tuesday (21/4/2026). “That’s why in Guangzhou, 100 percent of taxis are battery-powered (electric); there are no petrol ones anymore,” Afung added. The popularity of electric cars in the Land of the Bamboo Curtain did not happen overnight. The government has played a major role by rolling out the red carpet for those switching from conventional cars to electric ones. The main factors are the ease of obtaining vehicle legality and financial support. “It’s not just in Guangzhou; in every city, new energy vehicles are very popular, first because the government provides subsidies for all purchases and it’s easy to get the number plate,” he said. According to Afung, people wanting to buy electric cars are facilitated in obtaining number plates. Conversely, buying a petrol car is made difficult. Afung said the process of getting road permission for petrol cars can take years through a competitive lottery or auction system. “If we want to buy a petrol car, it’s hard; you queue, it’s difficult, maybe 10 years and you still can’t get the number plate. Without a number plate, you can’t buy a car,” Afung stated. “But for new energy, it’s easy. Because in recent years, the policy to support electric cars hasn’t been withdrawn,” he added. With a combination of number plate policies and massive subsidies, it’s no wonder the electric vehicle ecosystem in China is developing rapidly. Currently, China is the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The country is also becoming a new benchmark for the automotive industry in the electrification era.