London Congestion Charge to Rise to £18 and EVs to Pay for First Time
The London Congestion Charge will increase from £15 to £18 from January 2nd, 2026. Electric cars will also lose their exemption, which means EV drivers will have to pay for the first time.
This is the first rise in the London Congestion Charge since June 2020 – when the cost rose from £11.50.
Transport for London (TfL) claims the changes will discourage thousands of drivers from using the capital’s roads on weekdays.
Electric cars lose their 100% exemption from the Congestion Charge, but drivers of EVs can apply for a 25% discount by registering for the Auto Pay system. Electric vans, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and quadricycles that are registered for Auto Pay will receive a 50% discount.
The RAC is reporting that from the 4th March, 2030, the discount for electric car drivers will drop to just 12.5% while electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles will qualify for a 25% discount.
Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy, said: “If we want to ensure that London remains a thriving city for everyone to enjoy, then it’s vital that traffic and congestion is kept under control and managed effectively.
“The changes to the Congestion Charging scheme play a key role in allowing us to do that, while striking a careful balance that enables drivers, businesses and other organisations to continue transitioning to cleaner vehicles and more sustainable forms of transport.”
Following the announcement, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: ”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, and sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year.”
“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 penalties for not paying the Congestion Charge within 48 hours will result in a £180 fine – which is reduced to £90 if it is paid within 14 days.
The charges for the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will not be affected by the announcement.
