Getting EV plates in MA

[SmileyDude]

When I got my MME, the dealer put on standard MA plates. I want to get EV plates instead, so I went on massrmv.com and tried to get replacement plates. But there are no options for special plates, other than a few certain types (veterans and vanity plates, for example). I tried to setup an appointment, but when I picked special plates from the dropdown, it told me appointments aren't available at this time for special plates.

Has anyone figured out if it's possible to order an EV plate to replace a standard plate at this time? Or am I just out of luck until the RMV resumes full service again at some point in the future?

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[bshaw]

Weird. I asked my dealer in advance for EV plates and they acted like of course they were going to use an EV plate on the registration.

Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about replacement plates. Maybe the state ran out of them for now?

 

[hag911]

Weird. I asked my dealer in advance for EV plates and they acted like of course they were going to use an EV plate on the registration.

Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about replacement plates. Maybe the state ran out of them for now?

I had the same thing happen. In fact the dealer insisted I needed the EV plate which is not true, but I wanted one anyway so I wasn't about to argue with that over that.

 

[jaycake]

Hi all...If anyone still has questions I just got back from the RMV. You need to set up an appointment, but set it up as " amending your registration/title" they will send an email and you will need to fill out this form. After doing the process I will STRONGLY recommend to call your insurance company and tell them the form you are working with and say it needs to be stamped. I had to have geico send it to my email and I printed it out at the RMV. if you do it ahead of time have it sent the day you go...the lady behind the counter said "a lot can change in 2 days" so that tells me the form needs to be "fresh". I paid my 20.00 and they send me the EV plates, until the new ones come in I was told to keep using the old ones.

 

[jaycake]

Hi all...If anyone still has questions I just got back from the RMV. You need to set up an appointment, but set it up as " amending your registration/title" they will send an email and you will need to fill out this form. After doing the process I will STRONGLY recommend to call your insurance company and tell them the form you are working with and say it needs to be stamped. I had to have geico send it to my email and I printed it out at the RMV. if you do it ahead of time have it sent the day you go...the lady behind the counter said "a lot can change in 2 days" so that tells me the form needs to be "fresh". I paid my 20.00 and they send me the EV plates, until the new ones come in I was told to keep using the old ones.

*Update* plates came in on Wed the 25th

 

[SmileyDude]

the lady behind the counter said "a lot can change in 2 days" so that tells me the form needs to be "fresh".

That might be one of the most Massachusetts things I’ve heard today. Pretty much nothing on that form changes for me from year to year. Lol

Thanks for the update. I might give it a go here now.

 

[jaycake]

LOL, The registration effective date I handed her, was the 11th of Aug I went in on the 20th of Aug...I think she ment that she has seen dropped insurance and wanted verification that it was still in effect..

 

[SmileyDude]

Circling back on this thread after a few months. I was finally able to get EV plates today. Took a few trips to the RMV, my insurance agent, a failed call to the RMV customer service line and $40. But it’s finally done.

 

[TeslaY]

Here are some updates and additional details to supplement the post by @JayCakes.

Similar to JayCakes, Tesla said they had no EV plates when they delivered my Model Y on Nov. 3, 2022. It took me till this week to get around to switching the standard plates for EV plates.

1. Start by calling your insurance company. Ask them to provide you with a Massachusetts RMV Registration and Title Application (RTA) with an insurance endorsement. My insurer, Amica, did this while I was talking to the agent over the phone. They sent it as a PDF file to my email account. It was super fast.
2. The RTA must be printed and signed by all registrants before you can go to the RMV. In other words, if the car is registered to you and your spouse, both of you must sign it.
3. Take the printed and signed form, plus your current registration, to an RMV office. I went to the Watertown office, where I was directed to the Customer Service line. After a 30 minute wait, the administrator reviewed my paperwork and approved me to wait in another queue for a cashier. After another 30 minute wait, the cashier took my RTA and handed me the new EV plates, plus new registration document, in exchange for $20.
4. Get a new safety inspection. The cashier informed me that all inspection stickers are tied to your plate number. When you get a new number, you need a new inspection.

Some more tips:

• Don't bother with the Mass RMV website. It's literally useless for this transaction. They've automated lots of the plate ordering process (vanity plates, charity plates, replacement plates, etc.) and enabled customers to book appointments in advance, but not for this particular transaction.
• The Watertown RMV offers public workstations with internet access and printers attached so that you can receive documents and print them while onsite. Useful, if you arrive without your documents. However, be aware that jointly registered vehicles require two signatures.
• The RMV staff said EV plates are in short supply and I was lucky they had a few on hand. You likely won't have much choice in the type of number you are given (mine is two numeric digits, plus two alpha digits). If they don't have plates on hand, your experience may be more like @JayCakes.

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