New labels required on electric car number plates in WA

Labels that identify electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will become mandatory to display on a vehicle’s front and rear number plates in Western Australia from 1 January 2026.

The labels will enable emergency services to easily identify electric vehicles (including hybrids and plug-in hybrids) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and apply different safety procedures in the event of a crash or an instance where one of these vehicles has sustained damage.

Only vehicles built or modified on or after January 2019 will be required to display the labels.

From 1 January there will be a 12-month transition period to enable vehicle owners to comply, with enforcement by WA Police and Authorised Inspection Stations commencing from 1 January 2027. It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure the labels are affixed to their number plates.

The requirement will bring WA into line with other states and territories.

The labels are available to purchase online and also from automotive stores. They cost approximately $10 and are generally adhesive. Vehicle owners must ensure the labels are correctly placed on both the front and rear number plates and also on any auxiliary plates used on the vehicle.

Vehicles with custom plates must also display the labels in clear space on the front and rear number plates. Auxiliary custom plates are also required to display the labels.

The labels must be placed in an upright position and placed so as not to fully or even partially obscure any characters on the plates.