Transport for London (TfL) is pressing ahead with plans to stop exempting electric vehicles (EVs) from the capital’s Congestion Charging schemes from January 2026. Instead, a discount will apply from an increased standard price.
Launched in 2003, the congestion charge was the first scheme requiring drivers in Central London to pay a daily charge. As the name implies, it exists to incentivise a reduction in traffic by nudging motorists towards public transport, walking and cycling.
The charge is currently £15 per day, per vehicle – a rate that has applied to individual motorists and to fleet vehicles alike since 2020.
TfL is proposing to increase the charge to £18 per day, per vehicle, from 2 January 2026. The aim is to switch even more journeys to public transport and active transport.
Discounts for Electric Vehicles
TfL has also provided clarity on the future of congestion charging discounts for EVs. At present, they benefit from a 100% discount, which is expiring at the end of 2025. Mindful of the ongoing electrification of London’s vehicle stock, changes to the scheme are needed to meaningfully address congestion.
From 2 January 2026, TfL is proposing, electric cars registered for Auto Pay will benefit from a 25% discount, to £13.50. Meanwhile, electric vans, electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and electric quadricycles registered for Auto Pay will receive a 50% discount to £9.
TfL estimates that these changes will result in 2,200 fewer vehicles on Central London’s roads on an average weekday, compared to a scenario in which the scheme remains as it is.
The discount schemes are intended to benefit fleet managers and individual drivers completing trips which are the most challenging to shift to public transport.
TfL is also consulting in further reductions to EV-related congestion charging discounts from 2030. It is proposing that, from this point, electric cars registered for Auto Pay will only get a 12.5% discount. The discount for electric vans, electric HGVs and electric quadricycles will decrease to 25% at this point.
Residents’ Discount
Those living within the congestion charge zone benefit from a 90% discount, provided that they have registered their vehicles.
TfL is proposing that eligible new applicants, from 1 March 2027, only receive the discount for EVs.
