From 2 January 2026, electric car drivers in London will no longer be exempt from paying the city’s congestion charge. Instead, they will pay reduced rates as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) new congestion charge scheme. The daily rate will go up from £15 to £18, with EVs enjoying lower rates: 25% discount for electric cars and 50% discount for electric vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) registered for Auto Pay.
The policy change is looking to combat the increasing number of EVs causing traffic congestion within the inner London area. TfL believes that if these changes weren’t made, then another 2,200 vehicles would come into the congestion charge area each day, undermining strategies for controlling traffic.
The EV discounted rates are phased. From 4 March 2030, these discounts will be cut further to 12.5% for electric cars and 25% for electric vans and HGVs. These changes represent TfL’s policy to ensure that the encouragement of zero-emission vehicles is balanced with measures necessary to manage congestion.
While the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will remain zero-emission vehicle exempt, the revisions to the congestion charge have been met with debate by stakeholders. EV proponents and some businesses have voiced concerns regarding the possible influence on electric vehicle adoption, especially among commercial fleets. TfL is launching a public consultation on the plans, seeking comments until 4 August 2025 not ULEZ”.
