In a significant move for London's drivers, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a substantial increase to the capital's congestion charge, intensifying the debate over transport policy and the cost of motoring.
Key Changes to the Congestion Charge
The daily fee for driving through central London will rise from £15 to £18, effective from 2 January. This represents a 20 per cent increase for all motorists entering the zone.
In a parallel development, electric vehicles (EVs) will no longer be fully exempt from the charge. Their 100 per cent discount will be reduced to a 25 per cent discount for electric cars and a 50 per cent discount for electric vans and lorries.
This is not the end of the changes for EV owners. From March 4, 2030, the discount will be cut again, falling to just 12.5 per cent for cars and 25 per cent for vans and lorries.
Criticism and Backlash from Campaigners
The decision has been met with strong opposition from motoring organisations and campaign groups, who label it a 'backward step'. They argue it will drive up the cost of living as delivery firms and tradespeople are forced to pass on their increased operating costs to consumers.
Howard Cox, Founder of the FairFuelUK campaign group, was particularly scathing, accusing the Mayor of conducting a 'personal war on the motorist'. He described the move as a 'cash-grabbing' tactic to pay for financial mismanagement in London, warning it would add to the city's commercial and social decline.
Edmund King, the AA president, urged Sir Sadiq to reconsider, stating: 'This is a backward step which sadly will backfire on air quality in London. Many drivers are not quite ready to make the switch to electric vehicles, so incentives are still needed.'
The Mayor's Defence and Future Implications
Defending the policy, Sir Sadiq Khan argued that the congestion charge must 'stay fit for purpose'. He warned that maintaining the status quo would lead to an extra 2,200 vehicles in the charging zone on an average weekday next year.
He stated, 'We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable travel, so I'm pleased that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, as we work to build a greener and better London for everyone.'
The congestion charge, first introduced in 2003 by the then-Labour mayor Ken Livingstone, operates in central London between 7am and 6pm on weekdays, and from noon to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays. It is paid on top of the £12.50 daily Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge, which was expanded by Mayor Khan to cover a much larger area stretching to the borders with the Home Counties.
