London’s congestion charge is set to increase from £15 to £18 from January, a 20 per cent rise, and electric vehicle (EV) drivers will have to pay for the first time. Transport for London announced that EVs will no longer be exempt but will receive a 25 per cent discount, resulting in a daily charge of £13.50. Electric vans and HGVs will pay £9, or 50 per cent of the full charge.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said the changes were necessary to prevent an estimated 2,200 additional vehicles entering the zone on an average weekday next year. The number of EVs registered to drive in the zone has increased sixfold since 2019, to almost 120,000, when the full discount was introduced. The discount was due to expire at the end of this year.
Critics have condemned the decision, arguing it discourages green transport. Labour London Assembly member Elly Baker said it would “make it harder for people to go green when they need a vehicle to do their jobs” and penalise minicab drivers who had switched to EVs. AA president Edmund King urged the mayor to reverse the decision, calling it “a backward step which sadly will backfire on air quality in London”.
From March 2027, the 90 per cent resident discount will only apply to EV owners, and car clubs will receive a full exemption for EVs. The congestion charge applies to central London from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and noon to 6pm at weekends and bank holidays. A separate ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) charge covers Greater London, with most vehicles exempt but older polluting models paying up to £12.50 daily.
Speculation is growing that EV drivers may face additional charges across the UK, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves reportedly considering a pay-per-mile scheme for EVs in her November budget, as such vehicles are not liable for fuel duty.
