“Clean” cars will be fixed with green number plates in an effort to encourage drivers to buy low-emission vehicles, the Government has proposed.

Plans under consideration by ministers would see cars, vans and taxis which conform to high environmental standards given special registration plates that may entitle drivers to use bus lanes.

Launched today (Sunday), the consultation could lead to the establishment of a UK scheme within five years.

Similar initiatives are already in place in Norway, Canada and China.

Ministers said the new green number plates would be a “badge of honour” for drivers which could yield drivers special privileges, such as the use of priority lanes, ultra-low-emissions zones and charging bays.

The consultation will consider potential designs for the eye-catching plates, which could include being entirely green on the front, back or both sides of the vehicle, or a green symbol.

The idea is being supported by the Cabinet Office’s Behavioural Insights Team, the so-called “Nudge Unit”, which said green number plates could help “normalise” the idea of clean vehicles.

Meanwhile the motoring groups welcomed the plan, saying it would form a useful way of distinguishing between polluting and less polluting vehicles, which have become visually “indistinguishable”.