Number plate labelling requirements for electric, hydrogen and LPG vehicles

Electric-Powered Vehicles (EV)

An electric-powered vehicle is any vehicle that uses one or more electric motors as:

• its sole propulsion system (for example, fully electric), or
• a propulsion system used with another type of engine (for example, hybrid).

A label must be fitted to an electric-powered vehicle if it was:

• built after 1 January 2019, or
• modified to become electric-powered after 1 January 2019.

Vehicles built before this date are not required to display labels. However, choosing to fit them voluntarily helps first responders quickly identify the vehicle type to keep them safe in an emergency.

EV labels must:

1. be affixed to a plate made of metal that is at least 1mm thick,
2. be triangular in shape with sides of 30mm in length,
3. have a blue surface complying with class 2 of AS 1906.1 (Australian Standard for retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes—retroreflective sheeting),
4. be marked ‘EV’ in white capital letters that are at least 8mm high with the orientation shown in the example below,
5. be fixed to the number plates so that the letters on the label are in an upright position, and
6. not wholly or partly obscure the characters on the number plates.

Example of label for an electric-powered vehicle

How to determine if an EV label is required?

The primary way to confirm whether a vehicle requires an EV label is to verify its motive power using information supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. Manufacturers hold the technical specifications for each vehicle and can advise whether the vehicle is electrically powered.

You can also verify manufacturer information using the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV). By entering the vehicle’s 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the public search function, you can confirm the motive power listed on the vehicle’s approval. This may be identified as either:

• directly in the motive power field on the RAV record, or
• within the Road Vehicle Descriptor (RVD) associated with the approval.

Vehicles requiring an EV label will show one of the following motive power types:

• EV
• HEV – Petrol
• HEV – Diesel
• PHEV – Petrol
• PHEV – Diesel
• E
• BIC

When reviewing the RVD, ensure you are checking the correct RVD document and vehicle variant that specifically matches the vehicle in question.

If you require assistance determining whether a vehicle is electric-powered and requires a label, please contact the Department’s Vehicle Standards unit:

Phone: 13 23 80
Email: vehiclestandards@tmr.qld.gov.au
Make sure you include the vehicle details and 17-character VIN in your enquiry.

Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles (H)

A hydrogen-powered vehicle is a vehicle that is powered by a hydrogen fuel system and has one or more hydrogen fuel containers fitted to the vehicle for the system.

A label must be fitted to a hydrogen-powered vehicle if it was:

• built after 1 January 2019, or
• modified to be hydrogen-powered after 1 January 2019.

Hydrogen-powered vehicle labels must:

1. be affixed to a plate made of metal that is at least 1mm thick,
2. be a regular pentagonal shape with:
   • each side 20mm in length
   • each interior angle 108º
3. have a yellow surface that complies with class 2 of AS 1906.1 (Australian Standard for retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes—retroreflective sheeting),
4. be marked ‘H’ in a black capital letter that is at least 10mm high with the orientation shown in the example below,
5. be fixed to the number plates so that the letter on the label is in an upright position, and
6. not wholly or partly obscure the characters on the number plates.

Example of a label for a hydrogen-powered vehicle

Liquid Petroleum Gas-Powered Vehicles (LPG)

The label must meet the requirements of AS 1425 (Australian Standard for LP gas fuel systems for vehicle engines) as applicable at the time the LPG system was installed.

An LPG system installed in a motor vehicle must display an LPG vehicle label permanently attached to the front and rear number plates.

LPG labels must:

1. be affixed to a plate made of metal that is at least 1mm thick,
2. be a regular diamond shape with each side 25mm long,
3. have a red surface complying with class 2 of AS 1906.1 (Australian Standard for retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes—retroreflective sheeting), and
4. be marked ‘LPG’ in white capital letters at least 10mm in height.

Vehicle fitted before AS 1425-1989

If a motor vehicle had an LPG system installed before AS 1425 was first published, the vehicle must have fixed conspicuously to its front and rear number plates a label:

1. that is made of durable material
2. that is at least 25mm wide and 25mm high
3. that is of a reflective red surface that conforms with either AS 1743-1992, Appendix C, Class 2 (Australian Standard for road signs – specifications – retroreflective colours) or Class 2 of AS 1906.1 (Australian Standard for retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes – retroreflective sheeting)
4. that states 'LPGAS' or 'LPG', or similar words or acronyms that have the same meaning, in capital letters at least 6mm high.

Example of a label for a LPG-powered vehicle

Where can I buy a label?

Labels can be purchased for a small fee from:

• the Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTAQ),
• various automotive retail stores, and
• motoring associations and clubs.

How do I attach a label?

Labels must be securely fixed to the front and rear number plates without obscuring any characters.

Recommended attachment methods include:

• screws
• pop rivets
• adhesive
• double-sided tape.