Changes confirmed to the Congestion Charge to keep London moving sustainably

After feedback from Londoners, the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have today (13 November) confirmed new measures to ensure the Congestion Charging scheme continues to accelerate the capital’s green transition while supporting businesses and residents – building a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.

The Congestion Charge has been in place for over two decades, helping to manage traffic and congestion in central London.

The Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) was introduced in 2019 to run until 25 December 2025, but now the Mayor has decided to continue incentivising the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), so that greener drivers still pay less.

The new system, with tiered discounts available via Auto Pay, means that: 

• The daily Congestion Charge will increase from £15 to £18 from 2 January 2026 – a lower than inflation increase and the first increase since 2020
• As part of the first phase from 2 January 2026, there will be a 50 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay as well as a 25 per cent discount for electric cars, including Private Hire Vehicles, registered for Auto Pay
• As part of the second phase from 4 March 2030, there will be a 25 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay and a 12.5 per cent discount for electric cars, including Private Hire Vehicles, registered for Auto Pay

The combination of these changes enables a careful balance between continuing to support the important transition to EVs and ensuring that the Congestion Charge remains effective at managing traffic and congestion within central London. Since the CVD was introduced in 2019, the number of EVs registered has risen almost sixfold - from around 20,000 to more than 116,000 earlier this year – they will account for close to 20 per cent of all vehicles in the Congestion Charging Zone by the end of the year.

Without these changes, TfL has estimated that there could be more than 2,000 additional vehicles driving during operating hours in the zone on an average weekday. This would undermine the benefits of the Congestion Charge, leading to more queues and delays – negatively impacting London’s economy, local businesses, bus passengers and other essential services. Every year, congestion already costs London billions of pounds; in 2024 alone, vehicle congestion cost the capital £3.85 billion, averaging £942 per driver**.

Alongside the new tiered system, the Residents’ Discount will change to incentivise longer term take-up of EVs, with those currently living in the area remaining unaffected. Those who are in receipt of the Residents’ Discount prior to 1 March 2027 will retain their 90 per cent discount, regardless of vehicle fuel type. For those newly applying for the Residents’ Discount after 1 March 2027, the 90 per cent discount will only apply to EVs.

Having listened to feedback from the public consultation, there will be further support for low-income and disabled residents receiving certain benefits, so that they can continue to apply for the Residents’ Discount until March 2030 without their vehicle needing to be electric.

There will also now be a new 100 per cent discount for ‘back to base’ electric car club vehicles. This is for car club EVs that are hired from and returned to the same marked parking space within the zone. This will give residents - including those on low incomes without EV access - an option to use one for essential car journeys.

Changes to the Mayor's road user charging guidance are also being taken forward, which would allow the Congestion Charge to be increased in line with Tube fares (or inflation plus one per cent or a lower amount) without consultation. This new procedure will ensure consistency with the approach that applies when public passenger transport fares are set, meaning the Mayor can ensure that public transport does not become proportionately more expensive than driving in central London. The wider changes now mean that procedural and administrative changes to the scheme may also be made without consultation, and the minimum consultation periods that apply when making other types of changes, have been reduced.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: "Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy. While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it stays fit for purpose, and sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year. We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable travel, so I'm pleased that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, as we work to build a greener and better London for everyone."

Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy, said: "If we want to ensure that London remains a thriving city for everyone to enjoy, then it’s vital that traffic and congestion is kept under control and managed effectively. The changes to the Congestion Charging scheme play a key role in allowing us to do that, while striking a careful balance that enables drivers, businesses and other organisations to continue transitioning to cleaner vehicles and more sustainable forms of transport."

Izzy Romilly, Sustainable Transport Manager at climate charity Possible, said: "Tying the Congestion Charge to public transport fares is welcome. It’s only right to make sure that public transport doesn’t get disproportionately more expensive than driving. We’re also pleased to see new support for electric car clubs.

"We need to cut traffic and invest in accessible and affordable public transport, and make sure Londoners can walk, wheel and cycle safely.

"This will put us on the path to a healthier, fairer London - reducing air pollution and making the city safer for everyone."

Jemima Hartshorn, Mums for Lungs: "We welcome the news that the Mayor of London is increasing the cost of the congestion charge, and ensuring future rises happen in line with Tube fare rises. Almost half of London’s household don’t have a car and while tube and rail fares increase regularly, this charge hasn’t been increased for 6 years. London is still far too polluted and there are too many cars in central London causing congestion. Last year more than 120,000 children attended hospital struggling to breathe. Today’s announcement is another good step, and we urge the Mayor and Government to work together to clean up our air from all sources across London and the country."

Customers are encouraged to register for a London Road User Charging account, sign up to TfL Auto Pay and add their vehicle if they have not already done so. Auto Pay is required for certain discounts, including the new CVD tiered system and the Residents’ Discount. Register now at tfl.gov.uk/auto-pay.