The Ministry of Transport will introduce blue number plates for electric vehicles by the end of this year, with the colour intended to improve emergency response.
Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is seeking public feedback on the proposed plates through dlt.go.th. The consultation will close at the end of August.
The DLT will then review the feedback, revise the details and submit the proposal as a ministerial regulation to the cabinet. If approved, the new plates are expected to be introduced by the end of 2026.
The blue plates will create a separate registration category for EVs and distinguish them from conventional vehicles, which use black-and-white plates.
Mr Siripong said the colour distinction would help emergency and rescue teams identify EVs quickly, particularly when responding to vehicle fires.
"EVs require different firefighting procedures from internal combustion engine vehicles, with specialised chemicals potentially needed rather than the water commonly used for conventional vehicles," he said.
Clear identification could help rescuers select appropriate procedures and reduce risks to drivers, emergency workers and nearby members of the public.
He said existing EV owners will not have to replace their black-and-white plates when the new system is introduced. Instead, they will be able to request an additional "EV" symbol to attach to their existing plates. The proposed symbol resembles a jasmine flower and includes the letters "EV".
EV registrations continue to grow. DLT data showed 119,353 battery-electric vehicles were registered during the first seven months of 2026, accounting for 27.5% of 433,568 newly registered passenger cars and pickups.
EVs are the second-largest powertrain group after internal combustion vehicles, which accounted for 227,535 registrations, or 52.5%. Hybrid vehicles recorded 86,680 registrations, representing 20% of the market.
