Number plate labels for electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles

The Northern Territory (NT) Government has introduced number plate labels for electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles.

In an emergency, these labels will help responders identify the vehicle’s power source so they can respond quickly.

Once fitted, the label must remain intact and attached to the vehicle’s number plates.

If your label is missing or damaged, you may face fines. Your vehicle may also receive a defect notice and fail a roadworthy inspection.

Who this applies to

If you own a vehicle that was built on or after 1 January 2019, you must have the labels attached to your number plates by 1 March 2023.

Motor vehicle dealers must attach the label to all eligible number plates as part of the registration process.

Vehicles built before 1 January 2019 are encouraged to have labels, but it’s not required.

How to get a label

You can get replacement labels from any label manufacturer.

It must meet the below label requirements.

Label requirements

Depending on the vehicle type, the following label requirements apply.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

As per the image above, the label for electric and hybrid vehicles must be:

• a symmetrical triangle with each side 30mm in length
• attached to a metal number plate that is:
  • at least 1mm thick
  • the same size and shape as the label
• a reflective blue colour – in line with class 2 of Australian Standard 1906.1 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes - retroreflective sheeting
• marked ‘EV’ in an upright position and in white capital letters at least 8mm high.

Hydrogen vehicles

As per the image above, the label for hydrogen vehicles must be:

• a pentagon with each side 25mm in length
• attached to a metal number plate that is:
  • at least 1mm thick
  • the same size and shape as the label
• a reflective yellow colour in line with class 2 of Australian Standard 1906.1 Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes - retroreflective sheeting
• marked ‘H’ in an upright position and in a black capital letter at least 10mm high.

How to fit the label

The label must:

• be attached in an upright position
• securely attached so it can’t be easily removed
• not block any letter or number on the number plate.

The label may block the diamond mark separating characters.

If you can’t attach a label without blocking a number plate character, contact your local vehicle inspection facility for advice.

There's no required way to attach a label to a number plate. However, if you decide to use a drill to attach the label, you should remove the number plate first.