❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the implementation and specifics of safety labels for electric and hydrogen vehicles, focusing on compliance, availability, and rationale behind the regulations. The Minister's response clarifies the regulatory basis, consultation process, and practical aspects of the new requirements.
AnsweredQoN 753Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister's press release dated 15 October 2025 in relation to safety labels for electric and hydrogen vehicles, and I ask: (a) what is the legal or regulatory mechanism by which these requirements are being introduced; (b) what incidents, discussions, lobbying, or other causes have triggered the need to create the requirements for these labels; (c) what consultation has occurred in relation to both: (i) the need to introduce the requirement; and (ii) the form that the label takes; (d) given the safety rationale for the change, why are vehicles manufactured or modified prior to 1 January 2019 exempt from the requirements (noting that it is recommended they opt-in); (e) why is the Department not offering to sell the labels, given the introduction of the requirement and the general practice of the Department to sell related materials such as licences, number plates and the like; (f) in relation to (e), are there any plans to offer sale of the labels in the future; (g) are there any plans to sell versions of both the standard plates and the custom plates with the label built-in to the design of the plate; (h) in relation to (g), if not, why not; (i) given that the Department will not provide the labels, if a person attempts to comply by installing the labels but it is found that the label they have purchased from the third party does not comply to design requirements, will they be potentially liable for a $800 fine; (j) in relation to (i), is there any accreditation or certification to standardise the labels being sold, to ensure that they comply with requirements, and if so, what rules govern this; and (k) how many electric vehicles are registered in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 December 2025
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport
Response time
9 days
(a) The safety label requirement for electric and hydrogen vehicles is a requirement prescribed in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 amended in September 2025.
(b) The Western Australian regulatory requirement brings effect to the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules (ALVSR, national model law) which set out the specifications and requirement for identification labels on vehicle number plates for alternative fuel system vehicles across the country.
(c) The ALVSRs, which define label requirements and specifications, were developed in consultation with road agencies, automotive industry groups, police, road safety experts, motoring organisations, and the public.
(d) According to ALVSR 2015 r.144(A&B), electric and hydrogen vehicles made or converted after 1 January 2019 must meet the safety label requirements. WA’s regulatory requirements align with these rules, but owners of older vehicles are encouraged to use the labels to help protect first responders.
(e) These labels are already widely available to buy in WA stores and online.
(f) No.
(g) No.
(h) The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 require safety labels on a 1mm metal plate, mirroring the ALVSR 2015 standards. This ensures that in an accident, the metal backing remains visible to first responders even if the number plate is damaged.
(i) It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure that safety labels meet the specifications required by law. These are set out on the Department’s website for vehicle owners to ensure compliance.
(j) Vehicle owners must ensure that the labels they buy meet the specifications set out in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.
(k) As of 30 September 2025, there was a total of 42,472 licensed light electric vehicles. This data can be located on the Transport WA website in the WA electric vehicle licensing data quarterly report. Data for other electric vehicle types, such as heavy vehicles and special recreation vehicles, are excluded.
(b) The Western Australian regulatory requirement brings effect to the Australian Light Vehicle Standards Rules (ALVSR, national model law) which set out the specifications and requirement for identification labels on vehicle number plates for alternative fuel system vehicles across the country.
(c) The ALVSRs, which define label requirements and specifications, were developed in consultation with road agencies, automotive industry groups, police, road safety experts, motoring organisations, and the public.
(d) According to ALVSR 2015 r.144(A&B), electric and hydrogen vehicles made or converted after 1 January 2019 must meet the safety label requirements. WA’s regulatory requirements align with these rules, but owners of older vehicles are encouraged to use the labels to help protect first responders.
(e) These labels are already widely available to buy in WA stores and online.
(f) No.
(g) No.
(h) The Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014 require safety labels on a 1mm metal plate, mirroring the ALVSR 2015 standards. This ensures that in an accident, the metal backing remains visible to first responders even if the number plate is damaged.
(i) It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure that safety labels meet the specifications required by law. These are set out on the Department’s website for vehicle owners to ensure compliance.
(j) Vehicle owners must ensure that the labels they buy meet the specifications set out in the Road Traffic (Vehicles) Regulations 2014.
(k) As of 30 September 2025, there was a total of 42,472 licensed light electric vehicles. This data can be located on the Transport WA website in the WA electric vehicle licensing data quarterly report. Data for other electric vehicle types, such as heavy vehicles and special recreation vehicles, are excluded.
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