London’s electric vehicle owners have lost their long-standing congestion charge exemption, with new fees taking effect this month following concerns over rising traffic levels in the capital.
The changes, which came into force on January 2, mean electric car drivers must now pay a discounted rate of £13.50 when using the Auto Pay system, ending years of free access to the congestion zone. The standard charge stands at £18.
Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the policy shift last November after Transport for London raised concerns about increasing congestion. According to TfL projections, an additional 2,200 vehicles could enter the charging zone each weekday by 2026 without policy changes.
The congestion charge operates from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Electric vans and other commercial vehicles qualify for a larger 25% Auto Pay discount, though this will remain in place only until March 2030. By that date, the discount for private electric cars will be reduced further to 12.5%.
Non-electric vehicles have also seen changes, with drivers now paying £18 — up from £15 in the first increase since 2020.
Residents within the zone continue to receive discounts of up to 90%. However, from March 2027, new applicants will be required to drive an electric vehicle to qualify for the reduced rate.
The timing of the policy change coincides with what the AA describes as “manic Monday” — the first working Monday of the year when breakdowns traditionally spike due to vehicles abandoned over the Christmas period.
Concerns have been raised about the ripple effects of the new charges, particularly regarding potential impacts on minicab fares for both drivers and passengers. Environmental advocates, economists and urban planners continue to debate the financial implications and long-term sustainability of exemption policies.
