For millions of drivers, entering a British city centre has become an expensive exercise. A patchwork of emission-based charges — designed to clean up our air — now feels like a daily tax on anyone driving an older petrol or diesel car. London’s ULEZ gets all the headlines, but Bristol, Birmingham, and Glasgow are all part of the same cleaner-air revolution.
The good news? There’s a golden ticket that gets you into every city, every day, for free. It’s called an electric vehicle.
London: The ULEZ and the Congestion Charge
London’s system is the most complex, so let’s decode it. There are two separate charges you could face: the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) and the Congestion Charge.
1. The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
- What is it? A zone covering all London boroughs, operating 24/7, that charges vehicles that don’t meet emission standards.
- Who pays? Petrol cars built before 2006 (pre-Euro 4) and diesel cars built before 2015 (pre-Euro 6).
- The cost: £12.50 per day.
- The EV advantage: All fully electric vehicles (BEVs) are 100% exempt — zero emissions mean zero charges.
2. The Congestion Charge
- What is it? A separate charge for driving within central London between 07:00–18:00 on weekdays and 12:00–18:00 on weekends.
- Who pays? Virtually everyone driving within the zone during those times.
- The cost: £15 per day.
- The EV advantage (until 25 December 2025): BEVs are currently fully exempt, but this will end on 25 December 2025. After that, EVs will pay the same as other vehicles.
Let’s do the maths: the staggering savings
Imagine a commuter driving a 10-year-old diesel car into central London five days a week.
- ULEZ Charge: £12.50/day × 5 days = £62.50 per week
- Congestion Charge: £15/day × 5 days = £75.00 per week
- Total Weekly Cost: £137.50
- Annual Cost (48 working weeks): £6,600
Switching to an electric car eliminates that entire £6,600 cost for 2025. Even after the Congestion Charge exemption ends, ULEZ savings alone reach around £3,000 per year — enough to cover your annual home charging and maintenance combined.
Beyond the capital: Clean Air Zones (CAZs) across the UK
ULEZ may grab headlines, but the same principle applies in other UK cities. The following cities operate Clean Air Zones (CAZs) or Low Emission Zones (LEZs) that affect private cars:
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Bath
- Bradford
- Sheffield
- Glasgow (Low Emission Zone)
- Newcastle & Gateshead
In every single one of these zones, fully electric vehicles are exempt. That’s not a loophole — it’s policy. EVs are the only vehicles that glide past every Clean Air Zone camera without a fine or fee.
The bigger picture
For city drivers, this isn’t just about saving money — it’s about freedom from daily admin, fines, and fuel bills. Owning an EV is like holding a universal “free pass” for UK cities. Fewer costs, cleaner conscience, no compromises.
Thinking of switching? Check out our guide to The Best Electric Cars Under £35,000 in the UK & Ireland, and explore ONEEV Find to make your city charging effortless.
