Electric Vehicle (EV) drivers that travel through central London do not currently have to pay the Congestion Charge, but this is set to change from December 25th 2025. The TfL has advised that EVs will no longer be able to driver through the Congestion Zone free of charge and will be subject to the same £15-a-day charge incurred by ICE vehicle drivers.
Since October 2021, Zero-emission vehicles have not had to pay the daily charge, instead paying a £10 annual charge to drive through the Congestion Charge Zone areas which includes the City, Farrington, Holborn, and Westminster. London Mayor Sadiq Khan initially introduced the exemption for battery-powered vehicles (BEVs) hoping that more drivers would switch from traditional ICE vehicles to EVs.
TfL’s decision could potentially impact up to 100,000 EV owners in London, and claims that extending the fee to all road users will improve traffic flow in the centre of the capital.
A TfL spokesperson said, ‘Ending the Cleaner Vehicle Discount from 25th December 2025 will maintain the effectiveness of the Congestion Charge, which is in place to manage traffic and congestion in the heat of London.’
The change of policy has drawn criticism, with the AA describing the policy change as ‘a turkey bone in the throat for EV owners who heeded his call to switch to green vehicles and improved air quality in the capital.’
The TfL, however, stands by its eco-friendly policies and credits the Low Emission and Ultra-Low Emission Zones for 70,000 fewer non-compliant vehicles on London roads.
The congestion charge zone is activebetween the hours of 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 12pm to 6pm on weekends.
