Electric vehicle owners in Kazakhstan will be able to obtain green license plates later than expected. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said that the launch of a new type of license plate for environmentally friendly vehicles has been delayed by around six months, Informburo reported.
Plans to introduce a separate type of license plate for EVs became known in May 2026 during discussions of amendments to the road traffic law. At the time, the MIA supported the idea of distinguishing battery-powered vehicles with special plates, following the example of other countries.
The purpose of green license plates
The main objective is to facilitate the identification of vehicle types. Cameras, parking systems, and other automated services may currently struggle to correctly identify EVs, failing to distinguish them from gasoline-powered vehicles. This can potentially create difficulties in providing exemptions and concessions available to this type of transportation.
Earlier, the Interior Ministry said electric vehicles could be issued green license plates. The ministry will develop and approve their design.
Colored license plates for EVs are already issued in China, Norway, Canada, Poland, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and other countries.
According to Kazakhstan’s Bureau of National Statistics, as of May 1, 2026, more than 24,000 electric cars were registered in the country, making their separate registration increasingly relevant.
Despite the postponement, the authorities have not abandoned the initiative. According to Deputy Interior Minister Sanzhar Adilov, work on the introduction of green license plates is underway, but their launch will take around another six months.
