More and more cars are on the roads. In Zurich, number plates are approaching one million. What to do next?Image: keystone
Within five years, the canton of Zurich should have exhausted the six-digit combinations for its vehicle license plates. What will happen once this barrier is crossed? And what about elsewhere in Switzerland?
06/17/2024, 09:2306/17/2024, 09:24
Follow me
Switzerland has more and more inhabitants and many of them drive a car. When I recently came across a license plate in Zurich with a very high number, around 970,000, I wondered When will the most populated Swiss canton cross the million mark? And what will happen then?
First of all, you should know that the question of the millionth number of plates does not concern all cantons by far. But in Zurich as in other highly populated areas, this will soon become a reality.
When will we cross the fateful threshold in Zurich?
“Based on the current development of the vehicle fleet in the canton, we estimate that more than a million plates will be needed within around five years,” writes Severin Toberer, head of communications and development at the service. Zurich automobile. So more or less in 2029. For now, it is the 978 000 series which is on the roads (ZH 978 XXX).
However, more precise data does not exist. Indeed, there is no monthly census of new plates nor history on “milestones”, for example the date of issue of the number ZH 900 000.
And elsewhere in Switzerland?
We have more precise data on the quantity of vehicles per canton. But be careful, things are not that simple because of the interchangeable plates in circulation. We cannot therefore summarize the situation with a plate, a vehicle. As a result, there are more vehicles than plates in circulation.
Where are the biggest plate numbers found?
Each canton can decide for itself the order in which it allocates registration plates. Some have therefore reserved certain numbers for certain vehicles (for example rental cars). Others issue the highest plate (XY 999 999). Currently, it circulates in five German-speaking cantons: Bern, Graubünden, Lucerne, Obwalden, Zug.
What does the millionth plaque look like?
But back to the more-than-six-figure plate, which could be needed in 2029 in Zurich and elsewhere. It is the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) which is responsible for its design. Jérôme Jacky, head of the Information and Communication sector, explains:
“In highly populated cantons, the stock of six-digit combinations will indeed be exhausted in the near future. A rearrangement of the number plates is therefore inevitable, but it is not urgent either.”
A project is currently under review with a view to a new design. Different options are being studied. The new plates are expected to appear on the roads by 2026/27.
“In the current phase of the project, we are analyzing, among other things, which design is feasible and also easy to read. But at the moment, it is still too early to take a position on the different possibilities.
Jérôme Jacky
Jérôme Jacky does not specify at this stage whether they will include a combination of numbers and letters. So it could be that the millionth license plate never exists. At least, not as we imagine it.
(French adaptation: Valentine Zenker)
More articles on cars
Festi’neuch had a successful 23rd edition with a record 57,000 festival-goers and flawless security.
Festi’neuch, which began Thursday and ends Sunday evening, had a successful 23rd edition. The Neuchâtel Open Air Festival did not experience any major security problems, despite a record attendance of 57,000 people. The festival was sold out for the first time two months in advance.
