London transport policy
Key changes at a glance
- The standard Congestion Charge has increased to £18 per day.
- The previous full Cleaner Vehicle Discount has ended.
- Eligible electric cars on Auto Pay receive a 25% discount, paying £13.50 per day.
- Eligible electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles on Auto Pay receive a 50% discount, paying £9 per day.
Electric vehicle drivers are now being charged to enter central London’s Congestion Charge zone, as updated rules come into effect today. The change ends the long-standing position where zero-emission cars could travel through the zone without paying, and replaces it with a discount-based approach.
Transport for London (TfL) says the purpose of the Congestion Charge remains the same: to reduce traffic levels and keep London moving. With far more drivers now choosing electric cars, TfL argues that a total exemption is no longer compatible with congestion management in central London.
What EV drivers pay from today
The standard daily charge is now £18. Electric cars can still pay less, but only if the vehicle is eligible and enrolled in TfL Auto Pay. For eligible electric cars, the Auto Pay discount is 25%, reducing the daily cost to £13.50.
For eligible electric vans, heavy goods vehicles and quadricycles, the Auto Pay discount is 50%, reducing the daily cost to £9. Drivers who do not use Auto Pay may be charged the full daily rate.
What to do now
1) Confirm your set-up
If you drive into central London, check your vehicle details are correct and that Auto Pay is active. The discount is designed to apply through Auto Pay rather than through a separate manual claim.
2) Recalculate regular journeys
If you are in the zone multiple days per week, the cost can quickly become a meaningful monthly expense. Building the charge into your routine planning helps avoid surprises.
3) Tighten the rest of your charging routine
When city driving costs go up, drivers typically look to remove friction elsewhere, such as finding a reliable charge point, checking availability, and paying smoothly in-app.
Why the exemption ended
TfL’s position is that the Congestion Charge is a traffic tool first, and that incentives should not undermine its effectiveness. As the number of cleaner vehicles grows, the policy focus shifts from encouraging adoption to managing overall road demand.
The change does not remove support for cleaner vehicles entirely, but it does move from a full exemption to a discount model, with Auto Pay as the mechanism for eligibility.
What happens next
TfL has indicated further changes in the future, including a planned reduction in the discount rate in later years. For drivers, the direction of travel is clear: congestion pricing is increasingly about reducing volume, regardless of drivetrain.
Where ONEEV helps
City rules can change quickly. What drivers need is consistency at the charger. ONEEV is designed to make charging away from home feel simple, calm and predictable, particularly when the wider driving experience becomes more complex.
FAQs
Do electric cars pay the London Congestion Charge from today?
Yes. From 2 January 2026, electric cars are no longer fully exempt. Eligible vehicles can receive a discounted rate if registered for Auto Pay.
How much is the Congestion Charge now?
The standard daily Congestion Charge is £18. Discounts may apply for eligible vehicles through Auto Pay.
Is Auto Pay required to get the EV discount?
Yes. The discount is designed to apply via Auto Pay. If you are not on Auto Pay, you may be charged the full daily rate.
Do electric vans and HGVs get a discount too?
Eligible electric vans, heavy goods vehicles and quadricycles can receive a larger discount through Auto Pay, reducing the daily amount payable.
Will the discount change again later?
TfL has signalled that discount rates may reduce in future years, so it is worth checking official updates if you drive in the zone regularly.
