EV drivers warned of number plate detail attracting $257 fine
As electric vehicle uptake soars across the country, drivers are being reminded of their safety requirements.
A small but critical detail subtly inserted on the number plates of electric vehicles plays a crucial role should they be involved in an accident, and Aussie drivers caught without one could be slapped with a hefty fine.
That's the messaging from authorities around the country who are this week reminding motorists of the skyrocketing death toll on our roads, urging Australians to remain vigilant and adhere to vehicle safety standards in a desperate bid to drive fatalities down.
Under these safety standards, all electric vehicles registered in Australia are required to sport an "EV label" which lets emergency crews know when a car is electric, should it be involved in an accident, allowing them to respond accordingly.
The warning tag is compulsory for all EVs on Aussie roads manufactured after January 1, 2019, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, full electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Western Australia is the only state not to enforce the mandate, with all other jurisdictions handing down fines for those caught without a label.
Mechanic explains why EV labelling is important
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Raffy Sgroi, Canberra-based mechanic and reigning Australian Women’s Small Business Champion, explained why EVs can be dangerous when involved in accidents. Sgroi warned it's extremely important anybody working with electric cars is meticulously trained, as they're "not always safe" to handle.
"We're talking about working with a huge battery here, my staff — and I've got five guys — they're genuinely concerned," she earlier told Yahoo News Australia.
"You've got 400 kilowatts of battery running, they can fry you. If you do the wrong thing — you're gone."
She's not just concerned for the safety of mechanics and drivers, "this also extends to tow truck drivers", paramedics and firefighters.
"I don't think the public actually has enough knowledge about them," she said. "It's not just about driving around, they need to know what happens if have they have even a minor collision. There are still people driving those cars around after a crash without doing any safety checks."
Fines for drivers caught without labels
When it comes to the EV label — a blue triangular-shaped sticker — it must be clearly displayed on both the front and rear licence plates, under federal law. While not all jurisdictions publicly state the amount drivers could be fined, all do warn that some form of financial penalty is possible for those caught without one.
The fine amounts vary across jurisdictions and not all are publically available — but it can range from $137 in Queensland to $257 in the ACT.
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Dealers who register an electric, hybrid or hydrogen vehicle must attach safety labels to all the vehicle’s number plates as part of the registration process. And while car dealers are obliged to deliver vehicles with EV labels attached to both licence plates, some international models have in the past been delivered to our shores without them. In this case, drivers are responsible for ordering a replacement.
If EVs ignite an intense fire results, experts warn
Replacement stickers are available from transport authorities in each state. In NSW for example, free replacement labels are available from any Service NSW centre in Victoria via VicRoads. They can also be picked up from mechanics or motor dealers.
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, experts warn.
They are much harder to extinguish than ICE vehicles, with specialist equipment and crews required to douse the blaze.
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