Are Electric Cars Exempt from the Congestion Charge? (2025)

The perks to electric vehicles may seem endless – cheaper running costs, zero tailpipe emissions, and the occasional free parking, to name a few. But do electric cars still benefit from not having to pay the Congestion Charge in 2025?

Discover everything you need to know about electric cars and the London Congestion Charge in 2025/2026 in our comprehensive guide.

Summary:

• Unfortunately, battery electric cars will no longer benefit from being fully exempt from the London Congestion Charge after Christmas Day/December 25, 2025. As was always the case when the exemption, or specifically, the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) was first introduced in 2019.
• However, battery electric cars won’t have to pay the full Congestion Charge fee if they register for the new system, Auto Pay. If they do, zero-emission, or battery electric vehicles (BEVs), will still receive a 25% discount from January 2nd 2026, paying a lower rate of £13.50 per day.
• Electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles will also get a 50% discount – higher than the BEV discount. This will then be cut to 25% from 4th March 2030.
• The cost of entering the Congestion Charge in London will also rise 20%, going from £15 to £18 on 2nd January 2026.

What is the Congestion Charge?

In short, the Congestion Charge was introduced in 2003 by Transport for London (TfL) in the hopes of reducing air pollution, slashing traffic, and aiding London’s transition to become a net-carbon-zero city by 2030.

How does it work? If you enter the Congestion Charge zone in central London, you will be subjected to a fee if you don’t meet the emission standards. The zone covers the London inner ring road, including the West End and the City of London. Signposts display a red circle with a white C in the middle to indicate when you are approaching these areas, and number plate recognition is used to calculate charges.

No other city in the UK has a Congestion Charge, but other areas have introduced Zero Emission Zones in the hopes of slashing their carbon footprint, which feature a similar model.

How much is the London Congestion Charge? Are the prices changing?

The cost is a fixed £15 per day if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone now. From 2 January 2026, this £15 rate will increase to £18—the first Congestion Charge price increase since 2020.

However, key discounts will still remain available. For example, Blue Badge holders receive a 100% discount, and local residents can apply for a 90% discount.

What are the charging times?

The running hours for the Congestion Charge are 07:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 12:00 to 18:00 Saturday to Sunday. If you drive within the Congestion Charge zone during these days and times, you will have to pay.

Thankfully, there’s no charge between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. But there are charges on bank holidays.

Do electric cars have to pay the Congestion Charge in London in 2025?

It’s good news—for now. Pure battery electric vehicles (BEVS) are fully exempt from the Congestion Charge in London through the cleaner vehicle discount. So if you’re an EV driver, you’re not subjected to the £15 per day fee. That means the UK’s most popular EVs on the current market are currently exempt from the Congestion Charge:

• Tesla Model 3
• Vauxhall Corsa-e
• Nissan Leaf e+
• Mini Electric
• Renault Zoe
• Kia e-Niro

Do hybrid electric vehicles pay the Congestion Charge?

Unfortunately, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have to pay the Congestion Charge in 2025. This has not always been the case; pre-25 October 2021, hybrids were spared the fee.

But, due to eligibility changes, hybrid electric cars are no longer exempt, meaning when it comes down to exempt vehicles, you need to own a battery electric or a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle to be fully free of the Congestion Charge. Or, in simple terms, own a zero-emission vehicle.

Do I need to register my EV for the Congestion Charge?

Yes. Even if you have a fully electric vehicle, you can’t drive through the zone without applying for the 100% discount. You need to ensure your vehicle is registered with Transport for London before entering the zone, or else you will be subjected to the £15 fee.

How to register an electric vehicle for the Congestion Charge:

To pass through the designated Congestion Charge area in London free of charge, you will have to sign up for the Cleaner Vehicle discount (previously named the Ultra Low Emission Discount). It’s important to note that you will have to continue to pay the charge until you receive confirmation.

The Cleaner Vehicle Discount:

How do I apply for the cleaner vehicle discount?

You can apply online via the Transport for London website. Make sure you have a registration document (your V5C vehicle registration certificate) on hand to prove your electric vehicle qualifies for the discount!

How much does the cleaner vehicle discount cost?

The Cleaner Vehicle Discount will need to be renewed each year at a cost of £10.

Will electric cars always be exempt from the Congestion Charge?

Unfortunately not. While electric vehicles are currently exempt, from 25 December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle discount will end. After this date, all electric cars – including pure battery electric vehicles – will not have a 100% discount, but a 25% discount.

But don’t forget the other available grants and incentives for EV owners.

Is the Congestion Charge the same as the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)?

No, the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone are entirely different, despite both attempting to tackle air pollution in the UK.

While the two are in London, they are in different areas. This means that if you travel through the Congestion Charge zone and the Ultra-Low Emission Zone, you will have to pay both fees—unless you are exempt.

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