Cork councillor welcomes new registration plates for electric vehicles 

A Cork City Councillor has welcomed the introduction of a new green flash on registration plates for electric vehicles which will soon make it easier to spot vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions on Irish roads.

From this month, the green‘ ‘flash’ plates will be available for all eligible new and existing electric vehicles. The new plate will look the same as current Irish registration plates, but with an added green vertical stripe.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, confirmed that the rollout of the new plates will begin in the coming weeks, following final preparations. The green ‘flash’ is designed to give visibility to vehicles that emit no CO2 emissions, supporting the shift to cleaner, greener transport across the country.

Speaking to The Echo, Green Party Cork City Councillor Oliver Moran said: “I think the flash will be a welcome reminder of the growing normality of electric vehicles. One in every six new cars registered so far this year in Ireland were electric.

“I don't foresee Cork City Council adopting Ultra Low Emission Zones like in London soon, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't make it clear that electric cars are more welcome in the city than more polluting ones. Other cities have introduced lower parking rates for electric vehicles, for example, so there are other ways we could use the flash as it becomes more common.

"It will also make it easier to enforce non-electric vehicles hogging public charging spaces. That will be a necessary part of the EV charging strategy for the city.”

Confirming the rollout, Minister O’Brien said: “This initiative helps make electric vehicles more visible, giving people and businesses a way to show their commitment to a cleaner transport future.

"It’s a small but effective step and a way for us to track progress on the ground and to normalise the idea of zero emission driving.

“The green flash is another part of our transition to electric. This year, over €100 million will be allocated to support EV adoption and infrastructure, with continued government supports and incentives to make EVs more accessible.”