What is the point of the blue EV label?

The little blue triangle on the licence plate of hybrid and electric cars could save someone’s life. Here’s how much it could cost you by removing the mandatory EV tag in Australia.

Why is the EV label required?

The EV label is nationally mandated to help emergency respondents identify that a vehicle has high-voltage electrical components in the event of an accident or fire.

This helps first respondents be more cautious and implement specialised emergency responses, including isolating an EV battery and working around potentially dangerous electrical elements if the vehicle needs to be dismantled.

The warning tag is mandatory for all electrified vehicles manufactured after January 1, 2019 – including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full electric, and hydrogen powered vehicles.

While it is nationally mandated, only Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and Northern Territory have enforced it.

All trading car dealers are obliged to deliver vehicles with the EV labels attached to both licence plates.

Generally, it looks like a triangular-shaped label with a reflective blue colour and white ‘EV’ lettering for all electrified vehicles – regardless of whether it’s hybrid or full battery-electric.

Meanwhile, it’s often a yellow pentagonal label with a ‘H’ letter for hydrogen electric vehicles or a red diamond tag with a ‘LPG’ letter for liquefied petroleum gas powered vehicles.

Can you remove the EV label?

The EV label must be clearly displayed on both front and rear licence plates. Otherwise, removing it could cost electric car owners hundreds in fines depending on the state.

Not all states publicly state how much a fine could cost if authorities identify an EV that has its warning label missing, obstructed or incorrectly affixed on both front and rear licence plates.

However, all states except Western Australia enforce it as at the time of publication:

Queensland – $137.05 fine and one demerit point
New South Wales – Fine amount not publicly-disclosed
Australian Capital Territory – $257 fine
Victoria – Fine amount not publicly-disclosed. According to VicRoads: “The penalty for not clearly displaying a label is a defect notice or fine.”
South Australia – Fine amount not publicly-disclosed
Tasmania – Fine amount not publicly-disclosed
Western Australia – Not enforced
Northern Territory – Fine amount not publicly-disclosed. According to the NT Government: “If your label is missing or damaged, you may face fines. Your vehicle may also receive a defect notice and fail a roadworthy inspection.”

It’s about safety.

Blue electric vehicle warning labels could reduce the risk and danger to emergency first responders.

While EVs are statistically less likely to catch on fire than an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, if they are alight, the chemical reaction from the lithium-ion battery causes an intense fire called thermal runaway.

It is much more difficult to extinguish than an ICE vehicle – with specialist equipment required to douse the strong fire – and could reignite days after a fire has been contained.

Of course, two tiny EV labels could be obstructed or damaged in the event of an accident. That’s why it’s just one part of the solution to keep first responders safe.

EV Fire Safe – which is supported by the Australian Government – encourages specialist training for emergency services to know how to identify an electric vehicle and isolate the high-voltage battery.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) also publishes rescue sheets for a range of electric car models to help emergency responders understand the vehicle’s structure and potential hazards to free a patient. Some car brands, such as Hyundai Australia, also incorporate QR code stickers for hybrid and full electric vehicles, linking to rescue guides.

While the blue EV label may not be pretty, it’s recommended for all hybrid and electric cars – regardless of age – because it could potentially be life-saving in the event of an accident.

About the Author.

Henry Man is an independent content producer passionate about the intersection of technology and transportation.

The former automotive journalist is focused on producing critically-detailed vehicle reviews, and unique short-form content. Learn more.