8.16.8

energy efficient license plate

 

Effective Date: May 07, 2026

Review Due: May 07, 2028

Summary of Changes

Removed that an owner with EE plates currently registered to their vehicle may use the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes with a single occupant from Section A and B.

Purpose

Guidelines for the issuance of an Energy Efficient License Plate.

Authority

Administrative Revision, A.R.S. §§ 28-337, 28-601, 28-1401, 28-2416.01, 28-5811, 28-6991, 35-146, 35-147, A.A.C. R17-4-351, R17-4-352, and 23 USC 166.

Policy

1. Beginning March 2, 2020, ADOT will no longer issue Energy Efficient (EE) plates. Owners with EE plates currently registered to their vehicle may continue to use their plate until the vehicle is sold, salvaged, dismantled, crushed or ownership changed, which includes adding an owner.

• Owner(s) being removed will still allow for the use of the EE plate.

2. The Energy Efficient (EE) License Plate Program began in 2007 and allowed the Division to issue 10,000 EE License Plates to qualifying hybrid vehicles.

3. The EE License Plate is only issued to qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. For a list of qualifying vehicles see; Energy Efficient Plate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Identifier chart.

Note: The Energy Efficient Plate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Identifier chart will no longer be updated as of March 2, 2020.

4. The EE License Plate is available with the International Symbol of Access (é); see Policy 8.16.6 Disability and Deaf/Hard of Hearing License Plate/Placard. A customer may replace their existing EE plate with an EE disability plate for no additional fee.

5. EE License Plates may not be personalized. The program is limited to standard issue, government, or disability plates.

6. The following fees are required when applicable:

1. An initial application fee of $8.

2. There is no annual renewal fee.

3. A special plate transfer fee of $12.

4. Postage and handling fee see Postage and Handling Fees Chart.

7. Until March 2, 2020, the EE License Plate may be transferred by the owner to another vehicle he or she owns, as long as the vehicle is a qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. After March 2, 2020, the EE plate may not be transferred to another vehicle regardless if the owner is requesting to transfer their EE plate to another vehicle he or she owns.

8. The fee to replace a lost, stolen or mutilated license plate is $5 plus postage and handling.

• The request for a duplicate plate is not allowed.

9. Transfer requests made prior to March 2, 2020, the processor shall have the up-line approver verify the vehicle is a qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle by comparing the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to the Energy Efficient Plate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Identifier chart.

10. A qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is titled in the name of a government agency may qualify for a Government EE License Plate; see Policy 8.16.7 Distinctive Vehicle License Plate, when the EE Plate Program is opened.

11. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles do not qualify as an alternative fuel vehicle; see Policy 8.10.2 Alternative Fuel Vehicle Registration, and are not eligible for a reduced Vehicle License Tax (VLT).