After a successful electric conversion, one final, often underestimated stage remains: the E-license plate. According to KBA (2025)<\/a> around 1.65 million purely electric cars were registered in Germany at the start of 2025 \u2014 a strongly rising trend, also driven by conversions. The \"E\" at the end of the number plate is far more than just a letter. It unlocks tangible advantages: free parking, use of bus lanes and full vehicle-tax exemption until 2035.<\/p>\n\n This guide explains step by step how to apply for the E-license plate after your electric conversion, which requirements your vehicle must meet and which privileges await you. If you are still at the beginning of your project, you will find in our complete guide to electric car conversion<\/a> all the basics.<\/p>\n\n The E-license plate is a special number plate that secures municipal privileges for electric vehicles in Germany. According to KBA (2025)<\/a> around 1.65 million cars already bore the \"E\" on their plate at the start of 2025. The legal basis is the Elektromobilit\u00e4tsgesetz (EmoG)<\/a>, which since 2015 has permitted this plate for purely battery-electric vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles and certain plug-in hybrids.<\/p>\n\n Technically, the E-license plate works like a normal number plate. The only visible difference: the appended \"E\". But this letter has legal effect. It entitles the owner to make use of municipal special provisions under \u00a73 EmoG \u2014 such as reserved parking spaces or the use of bus lanes.<\/p>\n\n The EmoG came into force on 12 June 2015 and was originally limited until 2026. The Bundestag has since extended its period of validity. For converted vehicles the same law applies as for factory electric cars: as long as the drive is purely electric and the vehicle has been correctly registered, nothing stands in the way of the E-license plate.<\/p>\n\n Yes \u2014 provided the vehicle meets the legal criteria. According to \u00a72 EmoG<\/a> a vehicle must be classified as a \"pure battery electric vehicle\" to receive the E-license plate. This applies regardless of whether the electric drive was installed at the factory or created by a subsequent conversion.<\/p>\n\n The decisive point is the entry in the vehicle papers. After a passed T\u00dcV individual approval<\/a> the drive type in the vehicle registration (registration certificate Part I) is changed from \"petrol\" or \"diesel\" to \"electric\". As soon as it says \"electric\" there, you are entitled to the E-license plate.<\/p>\n\n Important: hybrid conversions \u2014 that is, vehicles in which both a combustion and an electric motor remain installed \u2014 only count as eligible if they meet the strict plug-in hybrid criteria of the EmoG. For most converters this is irrelevant, because in a typical electric conversion the combustion engine is completely removed. The solution is therefore a purely electric drive.<\/p>\n\n Three conditions must be met simultaneously for your converted vehicle to receive the E-license plate. According to \u00a72 Abs. 1 EmoG<\/a> the vehicle must be a pure battery electric vehicle, have a valid operating licence and be entered as \"electric\" in the registration certificate. Sounds simple \u2014 but requires preparation.<\/p>\n\n Your vehicle may be driven exclusively by an electric motor. The combustion engine must be completely removed. If a combustion engine remains in the vehicle \u2014 even if it is no longer connected \u2014 the classification as a \"pure battery electric vehicle\" can fail. Remove it cleanly, document it cleanly.<\/p>\n\n The individual approval under \u00a721 StVZO is mandatory for every electric conversion in Germany. The T\u00dcV inspector assesses electrical safety, battery installation, mechanical integration and \u2014 for vehicles first registered after 17 June 2003 \u2014 electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). Professionally executed conversions usually pass the approval at the first appointment. All the details of the process are explained in our guide to the T\u00dcV individual approval<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n After a passed T\u00dcV approval you take the inspection report to the registration office. There the drive type in field P.3 of registration certificate Part I is changed to \"electric\". Only with this entry are you entitled to apply for the E-license plate. Without the change in the vehicle registration there is no \"E\" \u2014 no matter how cleanly your conversion is done.<\/p>\n\n The application is made at your local registration office and usually takes under an hour. According to ADAC<\/a> most registration offices do not require an appointment for a re-registration, but an appointment speeds up the process considerably. Here is how to proceed.<\/p>\n\n Nothing works without the inspection report. Make sure all conditions are met and that you hold the original inspection report in your hands. The T\u00dcV report confirms that your vehicle receives the operating licence as an electric vehicle.<\/p>\n\n For the trip to the registration office you need these documents:<\/p>\n\n The registration office changes the drive type in your papers to \"electric\" and enters the new technical data \u2014 kerb weight, power, top speed. At the same time you apply for the E-license plate. The authority checks whether all requirements under the EmoG are met.<\/p>\n\n With the notice from the registration office you go to the plate maker. The plates with the \"E\" suffix are produced. Note: the E-license plate is slightly longer than a standard plate \u2014 520 mm instead of 460 mm. Check in advance whether your plate holder fits. On many classic cars the holder has to be adapted or replaced.<\/p>\n\n As soon as the new plates are fitted and stamped by the registration office, you are officially on the road with an E-license plate. From this moment all the privileges of the EmoG apply in your municipality. The vehicle-tax exemption takes effect automatically \u2014 the main customs office is informed by the registration office.<\/p>\n\n The pure cost for the E-license plates is around 20 to 35 euros at the plate maker. Added to this are the registration office fees for the re-registration, which according to ADAC<\/a> are between 12 and 30 euros depending on the federal state. In total you are looking at around 30 to 65 euros.<\/p>\n\n Here are the typical cost items at a glance:<\/p>\n\nTL;DR:<\/strong> Every purely electrically converted vehicle can, after a passed T\u00dcV individual approval<\/a> receive an E-license plate. The costs are around 30 euros for the plates plus re-registration fees. The advantages: vehicle-tax exemption until 2035 (ADAC\/Bundestag, 2025<\/a>), free parking in many cities and access to bus lanes depending on the municipality.<\/blockquote>\n\n
What is an E-license plate?<\/h2>\n\n
Does a converted electric car get an E-license plate?<\/h2>\n\n
Which requirements must the converted vehicle meet?<\/h2>\n\n
Purely electric drive<\/h3>\n\n
Bestandene T\u00dcV-Einzelabnahme<\/h3>\n\n
Entry as \"electric\" in the vehicle registration<\/h3>\n\n
How do you apply for the E-license plate after the electric conversion?<\/h2>\n\n
Step 1: pass the T\u00dcV individual approval<\/h3>\n\n
Step 2: gather the documents<\/h3>\n\n
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Step 3: re-registration at the registration office<\/h3>\n\n
Schritt 4: Neue Kennzeichenschilder anfertigen lassen<\/h3>\n\n
Step 5: attach the plates and drive off<\/h3>\n\n
What does the E-license plate cost?<\/h2>\n\n