Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that electric vehicle drivers will face London’s Congestion Charge starting January 2, 2026 – ending years of free access to the capital’s charging zone.
Electric car owners will pay £13.50 daily while electric van drivers face a £9 charge under the new system. The changes mark the end of the Cleaner Vehicle Discount that’s allowed EVs to enter central London without paying since the charge’s introduction.
Khan’s office said the move prevents an estimated 2,200 additional vehicles from entering the congestion zone daily.
The congestion charge itself rises from £15 to £18 for petrol and diesel vehicles. Electric cars will receive a 25% discount while electric vans get 50% off – but only for drivers registered with TfL’s Auto Pay system that automatically deducts fees from bank accounts.
Those discounts shrink further by March 2030. Electric vans will qualify for just 25% off while cars, HGVs and quadricycles get 12.5% reductions.
Mayor Defends Changes
Khan said sticking with current exemptions would undermine the charge’s effectiveness.
“Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy. While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it stays fit for purpose.”
He emphasized that “substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles” as the city works toward environmental goals.
TfL said the changes followed feedback from Londoners, though the specifics of that consultation weren’t detailed in the announcement.
Industry Groups Push Back
The Electric London coalition – representing drivers’ organizations, charging operators and major businesses including Royal Mail, DPD and Openreach – estimates the changes could cost drivers up to £5,000 annually.
The group warns of an 8% increase in particulate emissions as drivers potentially switch back to cheaper internal combustion engine vehicles.
“We are disappointed by TfL’s decision to roll back the Cleaner Vehicle Discount,” Electric London said in response to Khan’s announcement. “The move risks London’s global leadership in electrification at a critical time.”
The coalition argued the discount has been “one of London’s most effective clear air tools” while supporting professional drivers and business fleets.
Critics worry the timing couldn’t be worse for EV adoption. The announcement comes days after reports that the Government plans a pay-per-mile tax on electric vehicles to replace lost fuel duty revenue.
That proposed scheme could add £250 yearly to average EV running costs – creating what Electric London calls a “double hit” for electric vehicle drivers.
The dual charges arrive as Westminster pushes broader EV adoption goals, though sales growth has slowed compared to earlier projections. Many potential buyers already cite high purchase prices and charging infrastructure concerns as barriers to switching from petrol vehicles.
London’s congestion charge zone covers central areas including the City of London, Westminster, and parts of Camden, Lambeth and Southwark. The charge applies Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM, excluding public holidays.
