Electric vehicle drivers in the capital are set for a New Year shock as they will no longer be exempt from the London congestion charge, starting January 2026.
An End to the Exemption
For the first time, owners of electric vehicles (EVs) will be required to pay to drive within the Congestion Charge Zone. This marks a significant policy shift, ending the perk that many EV drivers have enjoyed.
The daily charge for EVs has been set at £13.50, which is slightly lower than the revised rate for other vehicles. From the same date, the standard congestion charge for petrol and diesel cars will increase from £15 to £18.
Strict Enforcement and Potential Fines
Transport for London (TfL) will use its network of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to monitor every entry into the zone. According to motoring expert Chris Coops from Mr Plates, the system is unforgiving.
"Every entry into the Congestion Charge Zone will be monitored by ANPR cameras. If you don’t pay, or if your registration details are wrong, the fine is instant," he warned.
He also emphasised the importance of ensuring your vehicle's details are correctly registered with TfL, stating, "ANPR cameras rely entirely on your number plate. If you’ve transferred a plate, or you’re still using an old registration on TfL’s system, the cameras will not recognise your exemption history."
Rationale Behind the Change
London Mayor Sadiq Khan justified the shake-up, stating it was necessary to ensure the congestion charge "remains fit for purpose." The decision comes after a substantial surge in the number of electric vehicles on London's roads, a trend that is expected to continue growing ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
This move is seen as part of a broader trend where EV owners are increasingly facing similar motoring taxes as traditional vehicle drivers, amid ongoing speculation about the potential introduction of a national pay-per-mile road taxation system.
