London Congestion Charge for Electric Cars 2026: Register for the Discount

From 2 January 2026, electric cars are no longer fully exempt from the London Congestion Charge. EVs now receive a 25% discount — paying £13.50 instead of the full £18 charge — provided the vehicle is registered on TfL’s Auto Pay system. Without Auto Pay registration, you pay the full rate. This guide explains the current rules, how to register, and what exemptions still apply.

Key Takeaways

• From 2 January 2026, electric cars pay a discounted Congestion Charge of £13.50 per day (25% off the standard £18) when registered on TfL Auto Pay.
• Without Auto Pay registration, you pay the full £18 regardless of whether your car is electric.
• Electric vans, HGVs and heavy quadricycles receive a 50% discount (£9 per day) on Auto Pay.
• Electric vehicles remain fully exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge indefinitely — this exemption has not changed.
• The EV Congestion Charge discount will reduce further to 12.5% for cars and 25% for vans from 4 March 2030.

What Changed in January 2026?

For most of the Congestion Charge’s history, electric vehicles were fully exempt — EVs that were registered with TfL paid nothing to enter the charging zone. That changed at the end of 2025.

From 2 January 2026, TfL introduced a new Cleaner Vehicle Discount:

• Electric cars registered on Auto Pay: 25% discount (£13.50 per day, down from £18)
• Electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles registered on Auto Pay: 50% discount (£9 per day)
• No Auto Pay registration: full £18 charge, regardless of vehicle type

The change affects anyone driving an electric car into the Congestion Charge zone on any day the charge applies (Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 12 noon to 6pm).

Does Your EV Still Qualify?

To receive the 25% Cleaner Vehicle Discount, your vehicle must be a fully electric battery vehicle (BEV). Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and mild hybrids no longer qualify for any Congestion Charge discount under the current rules.

If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, TfL provides an online vehicle checker at tfl.gov.uk where you can enter your registration plate to confirm eligibility.

How to Register for Auto Pay

Registration on Auto Pay is straightforward and can be completed online. You do not need to register specifically for the EV discount — when you register your eligible EV on Auto Pay, TfL’s system automatically applies the discounted rate each time the charge is triggered.

To register:

1. Go to tfl.gov.uk and navigate to the Congestion Charge section.
2. Select “Set up Auto Pay.”
3. Create an account or log in if you already have one.
4. Enter your vehicle’s registration plate.
5. Add a payment card — Auto Pay bills your card automatically at the end of each charging day.
6. TfL confirms eligibility for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount when the registration is processed.

Once registered, no further action is required. The discounted £13.50 charge (for an electric car) is applied automatically each day you drive in the zone during charging hours. You receive a monthly statement showing all charges.

Important: Retroactive discounts are not available. If you drive in the zone before registering on Auto Pay, you will be charged the full rate.

The Congestion Charge Zone: Where Does It Apply?

The Congestion Charge zone covers central London — broadly within the area bounded by the Embankment to the south, Park Lane and Edgware Road to the west, Pentonville Road to the north, and the Aldgate area to the east. You can view the exact boundary on the TfL website.

Charging hours (as of May 2026):

• Monday to Friday: 7am to 6pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 12 noon to 6pm
• Bank holidays: charge does not apply

If you drive through the zone outside these hours, no charge applies. The charge applies each day regardless of how many times you enter and exit the zone that day.

ULEZ: Still Fully Exempt for EVs

It is important to distinguish between the Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), as they are separate schemes with different rules.

The ULEZ exemption for electric vehicles has not changed. Fully electric vehicles remain completely exempt from the ULEZ charge across all of Greater London, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, indefinitely. There is no registration requirement for ULEZ exemption for EVs — your number plate is automatically recognised as a zero-emission vehicle.

The ULEZ daily charge (£12.50) applies to petrol cars that do not meet Euro 4 emission standards and diesel cars that do not meet Euro 6 standards. Battery electric vehicles are not subject to this charge regardless of when the car was manufactured.

What About the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels?

The Cleaner Vehicle Discount does not apply to the Blackwall Tunnel charge or the Silvertown Tunnel charge. Electric vehicles pay the same rate as all other vehicles at these crossings. This is noted explicitly in TfL’s current discount and exemptions guidance.

What Happens to the EV Discount in 2030?

The 25% discount for electric cars is a transitional measure. TfL has confirmed that from 4 March 2030, the discount structure will change:

• Electric cars: discount reduces from 25% to 12.5% (meaning a charge of approximately £15.75 at the current standard rate)
• Electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles: discount reduces from 50% to 25%

This phased approach is designed to align the Congestion Charge more closely with TfL’s revenue requirements as EV adoption grows. For drivers planning vehicle purchases with a 4-5 year horizon, it is worth factoring in that the charge reduction will decrease further during that period.

Cost Comparison: Old vs New Regime

For a driver commuting into the Congestion Charge zone five days per week throughout the year, the annual cost at £13.50 per day is approximately £3,375 — a significant increase from zero under the previous exemption. Drivers in this situation should evaluate whether alternative routes, off-peak timing or remote working arrangements reduce the frequency of zone entry.

Other London Charges: A Summary for EV Drivers

For road tax (VED) treatment of electric cars and the broader picture of EV taxation in the UK, see our electric car road tax guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do electric cars still get free Congestion Charge in London? No. From 2 January 2026, electric cars are no longer fully exempt from the London Congestion Charge. They receive a 25% discount — paying £13.50 per day instead of £18 — but only if the vehicle is registered on TfL’s Auto Pay system. Without Auto Pay registration, you pay the full £18.

How do I register my electric car for the Congestion Charge discount? Register your vehicle on TfL’s Auto Pay system at tfl.gov.uk. Once registered, the 25% Cleaner Vehicle Discount is applied automatically each time you drive through the zone during charging hours. No separate application for the discount is required — eligibility is confirmed when your EV registration plate is processed.

Is my electric car still exempt from ULEZ? Yes. The ULEZ exemption for fully electric vehicles is unchanged and remains in place indefinitely across all of Greater London, 24 hours a day. Only the Congestion Charge exemption has ended.

Do plug-in hybrids get the Congestion Charge discount? No. Plug-in hybrids and mild hybrids no longer qualify for any Congestion Charge discount under the current rules. Only fully electric battery vehicles (BEVs) are eligible for the 25% Cleaner Vehicle Discount.

What will the EV Congestion Charge discount be in 2030? From 4 March 2030, the discount for electric cars reduces from 25% to 12.5%. At the current standard charge of £18, that would mean a daily charge of approximately £15.75 for EVs on Auto Pay. TfL has confirmed this as part of its phased approach to EV charging.

Useful Resources

TfL — Congestion Charge Discounts and Exemptions

TfL — Set Up Auto Pay

TfL — Congestion Charge Zone Map

TfL — ULEZ: Check If Your Vehicle Is Affected