London ends key EV perk as congestion charge rules tighten and fees rise
“London has begun charging electric vehicles to enter its central congestion zone and has also raised the standard daily fee to £18.”
Key points
- London has begun charging electric vehicles to enter its central congestion zone and has also raised the standard daily fee to £18.
- Limited discounts remain through Auto Pay, while additional tightening of residents’ benefits is planned from 2027.
Electric vehicle drivers in London are now being charged to enter the capital’s congestion zone, marking a policy shift that ends a long-running exemption and raises questions about incentives for cleaner transport.
Alongside the change for EVs, the standard daily congestion fee for non-electric vehicles has increased to £18 from £15, its first rise since 2020. Under the updated rules, fully battery-powered vehicles can still reduce the cost through Auto Pay, which provides a discount that brings the daily charge down.
Further changes are also scheduled: from March 2027, a major residents’ discount will apply only to new EV applicants. The congestion charge continues to operate across set daytime hours on weekdays and shorter hours on weekends and bank holidays.
The report includes concerns from an EV driver who uses her car for charity volunteering, arguing the new structure weakens the practical case for going electric. Transport for London has previously warned that maintaining exemptions could increase the number of vehicles entering the zone, potentially undermining the programme’s congestion goals. Geo News +1
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