Government to Consider Introducing Green Number Plates

We are in the midst of a green revolution. Governments, companies and individuals around the world are embracing green initiatives, from renewable energy to using less plastic, in a bid to curb the ongoing global warming crisis.

A movement in movement

A major part of this move towards greener, more sustainable technologies is reducing our reliance on fossil fuels to power vehicles. In recent years, hybrid and electric cars have become a far more common sight on our roads, and with major manufacturers such as BMW, Hyundai and Volkswagen prioritising the development of 'clean' cars, it's a trend that shows no signs of stopping.

Hybrids and electric vehicles accounted for approximately 5.5 percent of all new UK cars during the first half of 2018, which is a pretty significant increase compared to the 4.2 percent that was seen during the same six-month period in 2017.

It's a trend that governments around the world are keen to promote, and the UK's Department for Transport has recently announced an unusual plan to encourage more people to drive ultra-low emission vehicles. 

[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/green-number-plates-for-clean-vehicles]

Green plates

Clean cars, vans, and taxis could very soon have green plates attached to them if a government consultation is given the nod. Such plates, which are already being used - and have proved successful - in countries such as Norway and China, will not only allow drivers to show that they are taking a sustainable approach to driving, but will likely give them access to low emission lanes, as well as access to dedicated low-emission zones.

When will this happen?

Although the initial consultation around the green plates took place at the beginning of September, there has been no official announcement from any government official as to whether the plates will be introduced. This is likely due to the fact that Brexit negotiations, as well as Philip Hammond's latest budget, have been pushed to the top of many MPs' agendas.

However, with that being said, such an initiative would not take long to implement. In the Netherlands, the personal number plates were on the road less than a year after the initial proposal was passed, so it could be that by November 2019, we will see a new addition to the UK's number plate family.

Other hurdles to green car ownership

According to a study carried out by the RAC, many people admit they would be willing to purchase an electric car as their next vehicle, but have concerns about the availability and quality of charging points. Similarly, an AA study found that eight out of 10 people would consider driving an electric car if there was greater access to charging points.

The green revolution looks set to continue, but it would seem that there is still much to be done before 'clean' cars become the majority.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/government-to-consider-introducing-green-number-plates.html

What Cars Do World Leaders Drive?

Have you ever switched on the news and watched some world leader driving through a city in a huge motorcade? If so, did you ever wonder what car they were in?

We did! That's why we tracked down the official state cars for the most important political and royal leaders in the world!

Take a look and let us know what you think in the comments!

Spain

Government: The Prime Minister of Spain, Mariano Rajoy, uses an Audi's flagship luxury saloon, the Audi A8L. This one comes with runflat tyres, satellite navigation and bullet-proof armour capable of stopping armour-piercing rounds. The car is rumoured to have cost the government around $520,000.

Royal Family: The Spanish royal family has a fairly large fleet of cars, which includes Cadillac Broughams, Audi A6's, Mercedes-Benz S-Class models and the exclusive Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. Interestingly, only 18 Phantom IVs were ever made and Rolls Royce only sold them to buyers they deemed 'worthy'. In other words, that meant very rich and very powerful heads of state. On a day-to-day basis, the Spanish royals will use a Mercedes-Benz S600.

Netherlands

Government: The Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, uses a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with added armour. He occasionally uses an Audi A6 and has previously used a BMW 7-Series.

Royal Family: The Dutch royal family has a pretty lengthy history with outstanding state cars. I'm talking Cadillac limousines and customised Rolls-Royce Silver Wraiths! Nowadays, King Willem-Alexander has a custom built stretched Audi A8L and the former Queen Beatrix uses a custom built stretch Volvo S80 limousine.

Pakistan

The President of Pakistan, Mamnoon Hussain, and Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nasirul Mulk, both use a heavily armoured Mercedes-Benz W222, which are variants of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

When either the president or prime minister drives in a motorcade, composed of seven identical decoy components, each component has one traffic police car at the head, one armoured Mercedes W222 in the middle and three Toyota Land Cruisers at the rear.

Sweden

Government: The Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, uses the same model Audi A8L as the Dutch King and Spanish Prime Minister.

Royal Family: The King of Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf, uses a stretched Volvo S80, which is escorted by the Swedish Security Service in a mix of BMW X5, BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class cars. The King will also use an English-built Daimler DS420 for official occasions.

Italy

The President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, has two identical armoured Lancia Thesis. Previous premiers have used custom-built Lancia Flaminia limousines, Lancia Flaminia 355 Presidenziale and a Maserati Quattroporte III.

Australia

Government: The Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, uses a ballistic and bullet-proof armoured BMW 7 Series.

Royal Family: As a part of the Commonwealth, the British monarch appoints someone to be their representative in Australia. This person is called the Governor-General of Australia and is currently General Sir Peter Cosgrove. The Governor-General travels in a Rolls-Royce Phantom VI for official events and a BMW 7 series fitted out with bullet-proof armour.

India

President: The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, uses a custom-built, heavily armoured Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard.

Prime Minister: The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, uses a BMW 7 Series fitted with enough bullet-proof armour to stop an armour piercing round.

Iran

The current President of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, has used a bizarre range of cars over the years, including a Toyota Cressida, BMW 5 Series and Peugeot 607.

Turkey

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Prime Minister of Turkey, Binali Yıldırım, both use Mercedes-Benz S-Class models.

Canada

Government: The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, uses a number of vehicles depending on the situation. For most situations, he usually uses an armoured long-wheelbase Cadillac DTS or Chevrolet Suburban.

Royal Family: Like Australia, Canada is also part of the Commonwealth so it also has a representative from the British Monarchy. The Governor General of Canada is currently Julie Payette and she uses either a Lincoln Town Car or a Lincoln MKS.

South Korea

The President of South Korea, Moon Jae-in, uses an armored Hyundai Equus VL500.

Israel

Prime Minister: The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of Israel has a fairly extensive fleet of state cars, which includes a Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus IS 250, Audi A8 and Volvo S80 cars.

President: The President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, uses either a Volvo stretch limousine and Audi A8.

Japan

Royal Family: The Emperor of Japan, Akihito, and the Empress of Japan, Michiko, currently use a custom built Toyota Century Royal. This one-off custom car cost around about $500,000.

Government: The Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzō Abe, usually uses a Lexus LS 600h L. In some situations, he may use an unmodified Toyota Century that is escorted by police.

France

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, can choose between several luxury French cars, including the Citroën DS5, Citroën C6 and Renault Vel Satis. All vehicles are fitted out with heavy duty armour.

Germany

The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, currently uses a heavily armored Mercedes-Benz S600. In the recent past, the president has also used an Audi A8.

United Kingdom

Government: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Theresa May, is usually driven in an armoured Jaguar XJ Sentinel and is escorted by security in Range Rovers Land Rovers. The Jag costs around £300,000 and features an explosive resistant steel underbelly, Kevlar cladding in the cabin, bulletproof glass and 'gun ports' to allow bodyguards to return fire should the car ever be attacked.

Royal Family: The British royal family has a lot of cars. However, on state occasions, Queen Elizabeth II usually travels in one of two armoured Bentley State Limousines. Other state cars include a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV and stretched Jaguar XJ limousines.

China

Since the middle of the 20th century, Chinese leaders have used limousines designed under the Hongqi brand for official occasions. These cars include a special stretch version of Hongqi CA72, CA770, L5 and HQE.

Russia

The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, uses an armoured Mercedes S-Class stretched limousine.

United States

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, travels in a heavily armored, custom-built limousine called Limo One or, informally, The Beast. The vehicle is based on the GMC Topkick platform — a medium-duty truck platform! — and is designed to look like a beefed up Cadillac DTS limousine.

The car is equipped with many life-saving, offensive, and defensive measures, and is built to the United States Secret Service's standards

About the Author

Tom Butcher is a freelance writer who recently escaped the world of print journalism. He covers a wide range of topics, including business, motoring and digital. He is currently working with LeaseFetcher to tell the world about car leasing.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/what-cars-do-world-leaders-drive.html

Ferrari and Porsche release modern re-imaginings of classic racers.

There is not a single car enthusiast who does not know of the names Ferrari and Porsche, and the success of both of these prestigious marques has been forged in the fires of motorsports. In late 2018, Stuttgart and Maranello have simultaneously released contemporary revivals of some of their most venerated race-cars for a very lucky few customers.

The Italian offering comes in the form of two limited-run cars, the Monza SP1 and SP2, which have already sold out. But if you have enough capital and were unlucky to miss out on this opportunity, Ferrari's special projects division would likely be happy to create your own unique Prancing Horse – just ask Eric Clapton about his £4.5 million custom SP-12 EC.

Based on the front-engined 'barchetta' racers of Ferrari's history, the SP1 and SP2 both boast a truly monumental 810 horsepower from the same V12 engine found in other flagships of the company's range such as the 812 Superfast and LaFerrari. It would be hard to argue that the sleek, simplistic and elegant flowing designs of these Monza models aren't some of the most beautiful pieces of automotive art from the last few years. 

Crossing over into southern Germany, Porsche have recently released a homage to their Le Mans-winning sports-car, the 935/78 – lovingly nicknamed 'Moby Dick' for its eye-catching elongated aerodynamics that have a noticeably whale-like appearance. The new homage bares the same '935' moniker, and whereas the SP1 & SP2 are a blend of both modern and classic Ferrari design cues, the Porsche sticks very close to the original racer's design indeed. 

Based on the hardcore track-focused 911 variant, the GT2 RS, the Porsche packs a colossal 700-horsepower turbocharged flat-six being fired at the huge rear tyres and is likely to be equally as devastatingly fast (and possibly unhinged) as the original car. 

The two Ferraris are both road-legal and given that they cost in the region of £3 million per car, an 'SP1' or 'SP2' personal licence plate will probably be affordable for the lucky souls taking delivery of one of these vehicles. Of course, if you want a personalised number plate in the UK, you don't need to own a Ferrari or Porsche. You can find the right one for you and your car through The Private Plate Company. 

Unfortunately for the lucky 70 Porsche owners, the 935 revival is a weapon that can only be safely unleashed on the race-track and there's no place to fit a custom number plate. If only there was some way to cheer yourself up with a seven hundred horsepower Porsche.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/ferrari-and-porsche-release-modern-re-imaginings-of-classic-racers.html

DVLA Releases 1,250 Custom Number Plates for September 2018

A whole host of private plates have landed on the market in the last few weeks, shaking up the demand for personalised plates and causing a flurry of reseller activity too.

A recent DVLA auction in Wigan featured an incredible 1,250 personalised number plates, released to the public. The personal number plate sale took place on Wednesday September 19th, 2018 at the Kilhey Court Hotel. Ahead of the auction, reserves were placed on some of the plates up for grabs - ranging from £250 to more than £2,500.

Desirable plates released at this auction include:

29 O
1 MYY
365 P
250 M
200 PW
1 LVH

All these UK car reg plates had been approved for release by the DVLA and were expected to reach over £15,000 each. DVLA car registration sales are among the safest ways to buy a personal number plate, as they are already approved for use by the UK's driving regulator. Cars that use any of these plates will be road-legal in Great Britain, and the plates will qualify for use overseas in most cases as well.

Tips for buying plates at auction

As approved DVLA resellers, The Private Plate Company know plenty about number plate prices and we always make sure you are getting the best possible deal on available private number plates. To secure plates for our own stock list or to locate special requests for customers, we often attend auctions held by the DVLA and by professional resellers like us. Along the way, we have picked up a few tips for getting a good price at auction.

With an auction, there is no guarantee that you will secure cheap private number plates. Indeed, if the plate in question is in demand on the day, you could see the price pushed well above its current value. If in doubt, it is often best to source your cherished number plates through a private reseller like The Private Plate Company. If you do want to take the risk, however, and you get lucky on the day, you could secure the perfect plate for an incredibly low price.

Auction tips:

- It doesn't matter whether you are buying new cars or looking for personalised plates - you should always inspect the auction lots in person before you commit to bidding.

- Set a budget and stick to it. Don't be tempted to go over this limit, otherwise you could be hit with buyers' remorse when another bidder runs up your price!

- Make sure your preferred plate meets DVLA regulations and that you can legally use it on your car. Otherwise, you will simply have a very expensive ornament on your hands!

- Don't hesitate. If you take too long to make your bid, your plate could slip through your fingers.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/dvla-releases-1250-custom-number-plates-for-september-2018.html

The Benefits of a Private Registration Plate

Personal number plates may seem like a bit of an investment, so you want to make sure that they're going to be right for you. Aside from deciding on the sort of message you want your personal number plate to give, it's important to consider what benefits you'll be able to enjoy.

Here are some common advantages owners of cherished number plates experience.

Disguise your car's age

Cherished number plates obviously don't do much good when it comes to hiding large rust spots, dented bodywork, or clouds of exhaust fumes, but they can do wonders for making your car appear much younger than it is if it's in otherwise good condition.

This is because the general "date code" which is usually the first letter or number of the registration plate is obscured. The design of certain cars seems to belie their years, leaving the registration plate the only real clue of the car's age. A personal number plate means your car becomes effectively ageless, as long as it remains in good condition.

A sound investment

The reason why personal number plates are a good investment is that they're unique. There is only ever going to be one set of those plates, and if they're registered to you then you could be liable to make a tidy profit should you decide to sell on.

It's not a case of needing to spend the earth, either. Even cheap private plates have been shown to grow in value over time. That means you get several years of driving around enjoying the plates, then when you're done you're able to sell them on to the next custodian for a good profit. Choose your private plate wisely, and it could be worth something more in a few years' time.

Express yourself

Cherished number plates allow you to adorn your car with a message of significance to you. This could be anything from an indication of what you do/ did for a living, your nickname, your partner's name, or even just a favourite word or something you find particularly amusing.

It's an opportunity for you to express yourself and show the world a little bit of your personality. You're also much less likely to forget the registration number of personal number plates, unlike regular ones which almost never trip off the tongue.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/the-benefits-of-a-private-registration-plate.html

The Private Plate Company - Classified Ad

The Private Plate Company - Classified Ad

Why VW's Record-Breaking Win at Pikes Peak Matters

Pikes Peak is a gorgeous, picture-perfect mountain jutting out above the lush forests of Colorado - oh and it's also the home of the toughest hill climb race in the entire world. Notorious in the world of motorsport as an unforgiving and often dangerous beast, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is a yearly event that sees race cars, trucks and bikes all ascend 10,000ft skywards over the course of 13 miles. 

The highest and fastest class of the hill climb is the 'Unrestricted class' - there are, as the name suggests, very few rules aside from crash regulations. In 2013, the almighty Sebastien Loeb ran Peugeot's unhinged (and diesel, surprisingly) 875 horsepower 208 T16 up the winding roads in an astonishing 8 minutes 13 seconds, shattering the previous record. 

This year, however, Volkswagen set its aim on that record. Still going through the incredibly messy aftermath of the 'Diesel-gate' scandal, Volkswagen has shifted its focus onto electric propulsion as the clean future of cars and what better way to demonstrate this technology by smashing some records. The car, called the ID.R, is a sleek, closed-cockpit prototype with a monstrous rear wing and equally monstrous power output of 680 horsepower going to all four wheels. 

Electric motors not only have colossal torque and power for acceleration, but unlike internal combustion engines, they don't require air to produce power - as a result, they don't lose power at altitude where the air is much thinner. At Pikes Peak, this is a huge advantage. Where electric cars are still behind, however, is heavy batteries that cause weight and range penalties. 

Ultimately, despite worries about the car's weight, the ID.R was piloted up the hill by driver Romain Dumas in 7:57, ultimately breaking Loeb's outright record and smashing the electric car record by an entire minute. 

Electric cars are only getting faster, lighter, more efficient and increasingly looking like road-going spaceships. VW's win is a sign that it might not be too long before electric race cars become class leaders in motorsport, in the same vein as the name Tesla strides in the luxury car segment. 

Unfortunately for the Volkswagen team, the license plate '1' was already sold in '08 for an equally record-breaking £7.25 million. Besides, the ID.R doesn't have anywhere to mount a number plate anyway.
SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/why-vws-record-breaking-win-at-pikes-peak-matters.html

Rolls Royce and Bentley Compete to Offer the Most Luxurious SUV

Aficionados of the UK automotive industry know that the most luxurious vehicles on the market are manufactured by Rolls-Royce and Bentley. These two major car companies specialise in producing high-end, sophisticated vehicles for serious motoring enthusiasts.While they both offer a wide range of different vehicles, neither manufacturer usually produces SUVs. However, the two companies caused a splash recently because they are both releasing ground-breaking SUVs later this year. It seems Rolls Royce and Bentley are competing to dominate the luxury SUV market sector. But how do the manufacturers' new vehicles compare to one another?

Rolls Royce Cullinan

There's no denying that Rolls Royce's SUV (known as the Rolls Royce Cullinan) is the more opulent option. Its spacious interior features polished wood panelling and luxury leather. It even has a design that provides "effortless access to and egress from the rear cabin", according to Giles Taylor, Rolls Royce's director of design. More importantly, the Cullinan has been tested in locations around the world to ensure it can offer a perfectly smooth, comfortable ride on any type of terrain. Taylor describes the experience as being akin to a "magic carpet ride".

Bentley Bentayga

However, drivers who want a luxury SUV with a lot of raw power might prefer the Bentley Bentayga. The Bentayga offers a staggering 600hp of horsepower and 664lb-per-ft of torque, meaning that it can accelerate faster and reach higher speeds than almost any other SUV. The vehicle also has a slightly more streamlined, less palatial design than the Cullinan. While this might make it feel less like a luxury car, it will also enable to gain speed and manoeuvre more easily.

Fit your new SUV with a private number plate

The Bentayga is available right now although the Cullinan will be available later this year. However, both are missing one crucial detail - a personal number plate. 

If you do plan on investing in one of these classy new SUVs, you should also consider purchasing a set of personalised number plates. These private number plates can often add a final dash of refinement and poise to a high-end vehicle. They also give you the opportunity to make your dream car truly unique. After all, if you choose a UK car reg that has special significance to you, it will make your car seem more special. 

Here at The Private Plate Company, we offer a wide range of cheap private number plates that conform to the rules surrounding DVLA car registration perfectly. Take a look at our range today and pick out your cherished number plates.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/rolls-royce-and-bentley-compete-to-offer-the-most-luxurious-suv.html

The Perfect Gifts To Give Alongside Private Number Plates

Personalised number plates make fantastic gifts for car enthusiasts. A private car reg can reflect a person's interests or unique personality. As a result, giving the motoring enthusiast in your life a personal number plate is a great way to show how well you know them and how much you care about them. However, if you really want to treat your car-loving friend or relative, you may feel that a private plate on its own isn't enough. If this is the case, why not give them some other motoring accessories to go with their new plates? We've come up with some suggestions.

1. Car cleaning kits

Private number plates look great, but their appearance can be undermined if they become dirty or dusty. If you want to give someone a set of personalised plates, it's also worth giving them the tools to keep them clean. A high-quality professional car cleaning kit is the perfect complement to a new set of plates. The recipient will be overjoyed when they discover they can keep their cherished number plates looking shiny and new.

2. Decals

Private plates can lend a car a flashy, daring look. Applying decals to a vehicle can also help cultivate this aesthetic. If the intended recipient of your private plates wants to make their car look sporty and debonaire, why not help them out with some decals? A wide range of decals are available from various different suppliers, so you can probably find ones that match the theme of your private plates.

3. Gadgets

If you give a car enthusiast new private plates, they are likely to want to go for a drive to show them off. Why not make their drive easier by giving them a satnav or another gadget that will assist them on the roads?

Here at The Private Plate Company, we offer a wide selection of cheap private plates. In fact, they're so affordable, that you won't have any trouble buying your favourite motor enthusiast other gifts too. What's more, all our plates are associated with legitimate DVLA car registrations, so you won't have to worry about whether the plates you're buying are legal or not. If you want to buy a close friend or relative a legitimate private car reg and still have money left over for other gifts, make us your first port of call.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/the-perfect-gifts-to-give-alongside-private-number-plates.html

Which Number Plates Are Our Favourite Celebs Buying?

Once upon a time, a personalised car registration plate was the reserve of the rich and famous. These days,personalised number plates are an affordable treat which is available to anyone, and the only limit is your imagination – well, as much as the format of the number plate allows! Of course, if money is no object, you could follow the lead of some of our favourite celebrities who've invested in a personalised number plate for their car.

One of the most memorable personalised number plates is former England striker Sir Geoff Hurst, the only player who's ever achieved a hat-trick in a World Cup final in 1966. He bought WC66 ENG for just over £4000, signifying the World Cup of 1966 and England in one personalised plate.

Undeterred, he then bought WC66 SGH, showing recognition of the World Cup of '66 with his initials, followed by GH66 CUP, for his initials and recognition of his team's reward.

Other famous faces in the football world who love cherished number plates include Roman Abramovich, who purchased the private plate VIP 1 in 2006, for £285,000. It was second hand though – it had once been used by none other than Pope John Paul II on the "Pope Mobile".

Which Number Plates Are Our Favourite Celebs Buying?

It's not just our sporting superstars who like personalised car registrations. Even our monarch loves a cherished plate. She's currently using one of the first ever private car registrations in the UK, a plate which simply says A 7. Keen Royal watchers who were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding would have seen them driving away in an Aston Martin DB6 MkII which belonged to the Prince of Wales, with the number plate JU5T WED although this is not a genuine registration number.

Money no object? The most expensive number plate ever sold was a DVLA number plate with the two-digit 1 D. Purchased in 2009 by a London based businessman from Lebanon, it was a gift for his lucky wife.

You don't need to spend thousands to get the number plate of your dreams. Visit The Private Plate Company website and see if we've got something in our catalogue which appeals to you.

SOURCE: https://www.theprivateplateco.co.uk/news/general/which-number-plates-are-our-favourite-celebs-buying.html