The Cook Government will introduce new safety labelling requirements for electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles in Western Australia, helping emergency services identify vehicles more quickly at crash scenes.
From January 1, 2026, all electric, hybrid, and hydrogen vehicles manufactured or modified on or after January 1, 2019, will be required to display specific front and rear number plate labels: blue EV triangles for electric vehicles and yellow H pentagons for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Enhancing safety for emergency responders
The new labels are designed to alert first responders to follow appropriate safety procedures when attending incidents involving high-voltage or pressurised fuel systems. Vehicle owners will have a 12-month transition period, until January 1, 2027, to comply with the new law.
Drivers who fail to fit the required labels after this period risk fines of up to $800. Those with vehicles manufactured before 2019 are not required to comply but are encouraged to adopt the labelling system voluntarily.
Aligning WA with national standards
The change brings Western Australia into line with the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules, ensuring consistency with other jurisdictions that already use similar safety labelling requirements.
Owners will be responsible for purchasing and correctly attaching the labels to their number plates, ensuring that no characters are obscured. Rear auxiliary plates, if fitted, must also display the appropriate label.
Minister Assisting the Transport Minister, Jessica Stojkovski, says the requirement is a simple yet vital step in improving safety for emergency workers.
“The labels enable our first responders to identify electric, hybrid or hydrogen vehicles quickly and ensure they take the necessary safety precautions when attending a crash scene or other incident,” she says.