The 26 Number Plate: Everything You Need to Know About March 2026's New Registration
The arrival of the 26 number plate in March 2026 represents more than just a new registration period—it's an opportunity for drivers to showcase their brand-new electric car with the latest plates. Whether you're considering an electric car salary sacrifice scheme or planning to purchase outright, understanding the 26 plate system helps you maximise your investment.
When Are 26 Plates Released?
The 26 number plate officially launches on 1st March 2026 at precisely one minute past midnight. This marks the first registration period of 2026, with the second period (76 plates) following on 1st September 2026.
However, drivers who order their electric car through The Electric Car Scheme can secure their 26 plates earlier than the general public. By ordering your vehicle approximately one month in advance and specifying your preference for the new registration, you can have your 26-plated electric car delivered as soon as the registration period begins.
How Does the UK Number Plate System Work?
UK number plates follow a specific format that's been in place since September 2001. Understanding this system helps you identify when any vehicle was first registered.
The Standard Format
Modern UK plates consist of seven characters in this order:
Local memory tag (2 letters): Indicates where the vehicle was registered
Age identifier (2 numbers): Shows the registration period
Random letters (3 letters): Unique identifier for the vehicle
For example: LO26 ABC
LO = London area
26 = Registered March-August 2026
ABC = Random identifier
Age Identifier System
The number plate system operates on a six-month cycle:
March to August: Year + 0 (e.g., 26 for March 2026)
September to February: Year + 50 (e.g., 76 for September 2026)
This means:
26 plates = March-August 2026
76 plates = September 2026-February 2027
27 plates = March-August 2027
The system will continue until September 2050, when plates will read "00" (representing 2050), then reset to "51" for March 2051.
What Are Green Number Plates?
Green number plates, officially introduced in December 2020, feature a green flash on the left side of the rear plate. These plates are exclusively available for zero-emission vehicles, including:
Fully electric cars
Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, are not eligible for green plates.
Benefits of Green Plates
Green plates offer several practical advantages for electric car drivers:
Local authority incentives: Some councils offer free or discounted parking
Bus lane access: Certain areas permit green-plated vehicles in bus lanes
Low emission zones: Easier identification for ULEZ and clean air zone enforcement
Instant recognition: Clearly identifies your vehicle as zero-emission
For drivers using an electric car salary sacrifice scheme, green plates can enhance the environmental credentials of their benefit package whilst potentially reducing running costs through parking and charging incentives.
Are Green Plates Compulsory?
No. Green number plates remain entirely optional. You can choose a standard white front plate and yellow rear plate for your electric car if you prefer. The choice is purely aesthetic and preference-based, though the practical benefits may make them attractive for urban drivers.
What Are Private Number Plates?
Private or personalised number plates allow you to display custom combinations rather than standard registrations. These plates must still follow DVLA formatting rules but can create words, names, or meaningful combinations.
Types of Private Plates
Dateless plates: The original format from 1903-1963, such as ABC 123
Prefix plates: Used 1983-2001, such as A123 ABC
Current format plates: Since 2001, such as AB12 ABC
Northern Ireland plates: Can be transferred to mainland UK vehicles, such as ABC 1234
Popular Private Plate Styles
Electric car enthusiasts often choose plates that reflect their vehicle's green credentials:
EV-themed combinations (where available)
Environmental references
Tech-related words
Personal initials or names
Private plates can be retained when you change vehicles, making them a long-term investment. If you're leasing through a salary sacrifice electric car scheme, check your provider's policy on personalised plates—some schemes allow them whilst others restrict customisation.
Number Plate Rules and Regulations
The DVLA enforces strict rules governing number plates to ensure clarity, legibility, and compliance.
Display Requirements
Font: Charles Wright font is mandatory (no custom fonts permitted)
Spacing: Standard spacing must be maintained between characters
Size: Front plates must be 520mm x 111mm; rear plates 520mm x 111mm (or alternative sizes for specific vehicles)
Colours: Front plates must be white with black characters; rear plates yellow with black characters (except green plates, which have a green flash)
Reflective material: All plates must be made from reflective material
What You Cannot Do
Alter spacing to create different words or meanings
Use non-standard fonts or italic text
Make plates less legible through tinting or covers
Display incorrect information about registration date or area
Use 3D lettering that doesn't meet British Standard requirements
Obscure any part of the registration
Penalties for illegal plates include fines up to £1,000 and an MOT failure. For company vehicles obtained through an electric car scheme UK programme, non-compliant plates could create additional complications with your employer.
Desirable 26 Plates to Secure
Certain 26 plate combinations will be highly sought after when the registration period opens. Here are some potentially valuable or interesting combinations:
Premium Combinations
B26 OSS: "Boss" - ideal for business leaders driving electric company cars
W26 NNR: "Winner" - perfect for competitive professionals
G26 NUS: "Genius" - great for tech enthusiasts in their Tesla Model 3
EV26 series: Any plate starting with EV26 will be particularly desirable for electric car owners
BUY 26: Potentially valuable for retailers or sales professionals
Industry-Specific Plates
TEC 26: Perfect for technology companies offering employee benefits
ECO 26: Ideal for environmentally-focused businesses
ZER 26: "Zero" - fitting for zero-emission vehicles
Investment Plates
Short combinations with repeating numbers or letters typically hold value:
AA26 AAA
BB26 BBB
26 AA
26 AB
These plates often appreciate over time, making them potential investments alongside your electric car salary sacrifice vehicle.
Banned 26 Number Plates
The DVLA proactively bans number plate combinations that could cause offence, reference illegal activities, or create inappropriate meanings. For the 26 registration, several combinations are already prohibited.
Banned 26 Plates
The DVLA reviews all combinations before each registration period and bans hundreds of potentially offensive plates. The complete banned list typically includes references to:
Crude language
Sexual content
Religious offence
Terrorist organisations
Illegal drugs
Hate speech
How the Banning Process Works
The DVLA employs a dedicated team to identify and ban inappropriate combinations before each registration period. They consider:
Direct offensive words
Phonetic variations
Contextual meanings
Current events that might make previously acceptable combinations offensive
If you're ordering a new electric car through salary sacrifice, your chosen registration will be automatically checked against the banned list before issue.
Getting Your 26 Plate Early Through The Electric Car Scheme
One of the significant advantages of ordering your electric car through The Electric Car Scheme is the ability to secure your 26 number plate before the general public.
How to Guarantee Your 26 Plate
Order approximately one month in advance: Place your electric car order through your employer's company electric car scheme in early February 2026
Specify new registration requirement: Inform your scheme coordinator that you want a 26 plate
Confirm delivery timing: Ensure your delivery is scheduled for early March 2026
Check plate allocation: Your vehicle will be registered on or just after 1st March 2026
Benefits of Early Ordering
Priority allocation: Dealers prioritise vehicles for collection on registration day
First choice of combinations: Early orders often receive better random letter combinations
Immediate availability: Drive your new EV with the latest plates from day one
Maximum residual value: Latest registration plates help maintain resale value
Salary Sacrifice Savings on 26 Plate Vehicles
Ordering your electric car through salary sacrifice offers substantial financial advantages:
20-50% savings: Compared to traditional leasing or purchasing
3% Benefit-in-Kind rate: Significantly lower than petrol or diesel alternatives (up to 37%)
Tax-efficient: Payments come from pre-tax salary, reducing your taxable income
All-inclusive package: Insurance, maintenance, and breakdown cover included
No deposit required: Spread the cost evenly over your lease term
For a Nissan Leaf with a 26 plate, monthly costs through salary sacrifice might be £300-400 after tax savings, compared to £500-600 for a traditional lease—representing savings of over £2,400 annually.
Regional Identifiers on 26 Plates
The first two letters of your number plate indicate the region where the vehicle was registered. Understanding these codes helps you identify a vehicle's origin.
Main Regional Codes
London: LA-LY
Anglia: AA-AY (Norwich, Ipswich, Peterborough, Chelmsford)
Birmingham: BA-BY
Manchester and Merseyside: MA-MY
Oxford: OA-OY
Scotland: SA-SY (Glasgow, Edinburgh)
Wales: CA-CY (Cardiff), WA-WY (Not currently used)
If you order your electric car through The Electric Car Scheme, your regional identifier will typically match your delivery dealer's location, though some flexibility may exist depending on dealer arrangements.
Private Plates vs. Standard 26 Plates
When ordering your electric car through salary sacrifice, you'll need to decide between accepting the standard 26 plate allocation or purchasing a private plate.
Standard 26 Plate Advantages
Free allocation
Latest registration showing your vehicle's age
Immediate availability
No additional paperwork
Private Plate Advantages
Personalised to your preferences
Retainable across multiple vehicles
Potential investment value
Hides vehicle age for resale
Many salary sacrifice scheme providers allow private plates on leased vehicles, though you may need to purchase the plate separately and arrange transfer through the DVLA. Check with your scheme administrator before committing to a private plate purchase.
Environmental Benefits of Displaying 26 Plates on Electric Cars
Showcasing a 26 plate on your electric car signals your commitment to sustainable transport. Combined with optional green plates, this creates a powerful environmental statement.
Corporate Social Responsibility
For businesses offering company electric car schemes, a fleet of 26-plated electric vehicles demonstrates:
Commitment to net-zero goals: Modern electric fleet shows forward thinking
Employee benefit leadership: Competitive workplace benefits attract talent
Brand alignment: Environmental credentials visible to clients and partners
Regulatory compliance: Preparation for future emission regulations
Personal Environmental Impact
Driving an electric car with a 26 plate contributes to:
Reduced emissions: Zero tailpipe emissions in urban areas
Improved air quality: Particularly beneficial in ULEZ zones
Lower carbon footprint: Especially when charged using renewable energy
Leading by example: Visible commitment to sustainable choices
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly can I get my 26 number plate?
The 26 registration period begins at 00:01 on 1st March 2026. However, if you order your electric car through The Electric Car Scheme approximately one month in advance and specify you want a 26 plate, you can collect your vehicle as soon as the registration period opens.
Can I choose my specific 26 plate combination?
Standard registrations are randomly allocated by the DVLA, so you cannot choose your exact combination unless you purchase a private plate. However, early ordering through salary sacrifice may give you better random allocations as dealers often receive batches of consecutive numbers.
Are green number plates mandatory for electric cars in 2026?
No, green plates remain optional for all zero-emission vehicles. You can choose standard white and yellow plates if you prefer. The decision is purely personal, though green plates may offer practical benefits like easier parking access in certain areas.
How much does a private 26 plate cost?
Private plate prices vary enormously based on desirability. Simple combinations might cost £250-500, whilst premium combinations (short words, popular names, or meaningful sequences) can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of pounds. Private plates are separate from your electric car salary sacrifice agreement.
Can I keep my 26 plate if I change cars?
If you purchase a private 26 plate, you can retain it indefinitely and transfer it to future vehicles. However, if you have a standard issued 26 plate on a leased vehicle through a salary sacrifice scheme, the plate typically stays with the vehicle when you return it.
Will my 26 plate affect my electric car's value?
Latest registration plates typically help maintain resale value as they indicate a newer vehicle. However, this mainly benefits owners rather than those leasing through salary sacrifice, where residual value is the leasing company's concern rather than yours.
What happens if I want a 26 plate but my car isn't ready until April?
If your electric car delivery is delayed beyond March 2026, it will automatically receive a 26 plate if ordered during the March-August period. However, late deliveries mean you might miss the initial registration day advantage. Ordering through The Electric Car Scheme typically ensures more reliable delivery timelines.
Can I put a 26 plate on my current electric car?
No. It is illegal to display a registration plate that makes a vehicle appear newer than it actually is. You can only display registration plates dated to your vehicle's original registration date or older private plates. Displaying a 26 plate on an older vehicle would result in fines and MOT failure.
Do 26 plates cost more through salary sacrifice?
No. The registration plate is included in your electric car salary sacrifice package at no additional cost. Whether you receive a 26 or 76 plate makes no difference to your monthly salary sacrifice amount, which is based on the vehicle value, not the registration.
How do I know if a specific 26 combination is banned?
The DVLA publishes banned combinations closer to each registration period. If you attempt to purchase a banned combination through their online system, it will be automatically rejected. For standard allocations through The Electric Car Scheme, you won't receive a banned combination as these are withheld from circulation.
The 26 number plate represents an excellent opportunity for drivers to showcase their brand-new electric car. By ordering through The Electric Car Scheme's salary sacrifice programme, you can secure your 26 plate early whilst benefiting from substantial tax savings and the latest zero-emission vehicle technology. Whether you choose a standard 26 plate or invest in a private registration, driving an electric car in 2026 demonstrates your commitment to sustainable transport and smart financial planning.
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Last updated: 09.02.26
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme's terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
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