Congestion charge for EV drivers comes into effect

Electric vehicle (EV) drivers in central London are having to pay the capital's congestion charge for the first time.

The daily charge for non-electrified vehicles has also risen from £15 to £18, its first hike since 2020.

Pure battery-powered EVs are eligible for a 25% discount if registered for Auto Pay, reducing the fee to £13.50 a day. Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan announced in November that the changes would come into effect on 2 January.

The congestion charge, introduced in 2003, covers an area of central London between 07:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, and between 12:00 and 18:00 on weekends and bank holidays.

'Little incentive'

Joan Owen drives an electric vehicle into London for her volunteer shifts at the NSPCC.

"There seems little incentive now to get an electric vehicle," she told BBC London.

"I usually drive at night, so I won't be affected so much by this new charge. But I will be affected if I want to do additional shifts over bank holidays.

"It affects the charity, and I think that's what has upset me most. If they want to claim that money back, then they have that extra layer of administration in doing so, rather than being exempt in the first instance."

Transport for London had previously proposed scrapping the EV exemption entirely.

It said without changes, about 2,200 more vehicles would use the congestion charging zone on an average weekday in 2026, increasing congestion and undermining the current scheme.

A 50% discount is in place for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay - although this is due to be reduced in 2030 to 25%, when the discount for EVs will also fall, to 12.5%.

From March 2027, for new applicants only, the 90% residents' discount will also only be available for EVs.