In Western Australia, owners of electric, hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles will be required to display EV or H labels on the front and rear number plates on their vehicles as of next year.
The Western Australian Government has introduced this new requirement, which aims to enable first responders to identify electric, hybrid, or hydrogen vehicles quickly and ensure they take necessary safety precautions when attending a crash scene or incidents.
“This change brings Western Australia into line with the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules and other Australian jurisdictions regarding this requirement,” Transport Minister Jessica Stojkovski says.
Owners of those vehicles in the state will be given a 12-month transition period until 1 January 2027 to affix the labels, with non-compliant vehicle owners risking fines of up to $800.
According to the Electric Vehicle Council, more than 180,000 EVs are on Australian roads, as of the first half of 2025. The EV market is growing, with more than 72,000 vehicles sold – representing a 12.1% share of new car sales.
EVs require several key minerals including lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite for batteries, while rare earths are required for motors, and copper and aluminium is required for wiring and other electrical components.
The International Energy Agency reports that lithium is forecast to grow, with demand expected to rise over 40 times by 2040, followed by graphite, cobalt, and nickel.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Regional Development Australia
