If you’re one of the thousands of London drivers who’ve switched to an electric vehicle (EV), you’ll know the appeal - zero tailpipe emissions, lower running costs, and that smooth, near-silent drive.
But for many, there’s been another perk that’s just as satisfying - skipping the £15 daily Congestion Charge.
However, as EV ownership skyrockets, that once-exclusive benefit is beginning to fade as sadly the the days of driving through central London for free are numbered.
Right now, fully electric cars can still claim exemption through Transport for London’s Cleaner Vehicle Discount - provided you’ve registered your EV and paid the small annual fee.
But from 25 December 2025, EVs will lose their exemption and start paying the same rate as petrol and diesel drivers.
In this guide, we’ll explain what’s changing, who’s affected, and how to make sure you’re not caught out. Whether you’re commuting from Croydon or cruising into Soho, here’s what every EV driver needs to know to stay one step ahead…
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What Is the Congestion Charge?
Launched in 2003, the London Congestion Charge remains one of the UK’s boldest attempts to untangle the capital’s traffic chaos.
The zone covers central London - stretching roughly from Marylebone to Lambeth, and Vauxhall to the City - enclosing iconic spots like Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and the Strand within its red “C” boundary signs.
The rules are simple: drive into the zone on weekdays (7am–6pm) or weekends (12pm–6pm) and you’ll need to pay a £15 daily charge - unless you qualify for an exemption or discount.
Miss the payment deadline (midnight the following charging day), and you’ll face a £160 Penalty Charge Notice that can quickly take the shine off your day.
But the Congestion Charge isn’t just a money-maker or a deterrent - it’s a strategic tool for cleaner, more efficient streets.
Since its introduction, central London traffic volumes have fallen by around 30%, with journey delays cut by a third and cycling and bus use up significantly.
The funds raised - over £2.5 billion to date - have been reinvested in public transport improvements, including Crossrail, TfL’s greener bus fleet, and cycling infrastructure.
And while lower emissions were a welcome bonus, congestion control has always been the real goal.
With electric vehicles now flooding London’s roads, the system is evolving once again - ensuring it continues to keep the capital moving.
The Current Rules for EVs (as of 2025)
Good news - for now, at least. If you’re driving a fully electric vehicle, you can still glide through the Congestion Zone charge-free - as long as you’ve taken a few extra steps first.
This perk exists thanks to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) - a 100% exemption for qualifying zero-emission vehicles. But it’s not automatic; think of it as a VIP pass you have to apply for.
Who Qualifies?
Fully electric vehicles (BEVs) – Battery-powered models like the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, or Volkswagen ID.3 are eligible. No tailpipe emissions? You’re golden.
Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles – Rare, but clean. Cars such as the Toyota Mirai qualify too, since their only emission is water vapour.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – Once included, now excluded. From October 2021, plug-in hybrids lost eligibility under the updated rules. Even if they can run on electric power for short trips, that petrol backup engine means it’s game over. Sorry, BMW 330e owners - time to pay up.
The Catch
Even qualifying EVs aren’t automatically exempt. To benefit, you’ll need to register your vehicle with Transport for London (TfL) and pay a £10 annual fee.
This small charge covers admin costs for verifying your eligibility and keeping your records up to date - a tiny price compared to the £15 daily Congestion Charge.
Just don’t forget to renew each year, or you’ll lose the discount and face the full fee (plus potential penalties).
How to Register for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (Step-by-Step)
Getting your EV approved for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) is quick and simple - it usually takes 10–15 minutes online.
Here’s how to get it done:
Head to the TfL website
Go to tfl.gov.uk and select “Apply for a discount.” Have your V5C log book ready - you’ll need the vehicle details it contains.
Enter your vehicle details
Type in your registration number, make, and model. TfL will automatically check whether your car meets zero-emission standards.
Provide proof
Upload a clear scan or photo of your V5C showing the vehicle is registered as fully electric.
If it’s a new import or converted EV, you may also need a certificate of conformity or similar supporting documents.
Pay the £10 annual fee
Use a debit or credit card to pay. This covers admin and gives you 12 months of exemption from the date of approval.
Get confirmation
TfL will email your reference number right away. You can also link it to an Auto Pay account - a smart move to avoid forgetting future renewals.
Renew every year
The CVD expires after 12 months, so set a reminder. Re-registering is quick but skipping renewal means you’ll lose your discount - and risk a penalty if you drive into the zone unaware.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re buying a used EV, check its CVD status on TfL’s vehicle checker tool before paying a penny. And if you’re a Blue Badge holder or live within the zone, you can stack other discounts for even bigger savings.
As of mid-2025, more than 120,000 vehicles are registered under the scheme - a six-fold rise since 2019.
But with numbers soaring, it’s no surprise the free ride is nearly over.
When Will EVs Start Paying the Congestion Charge?
Pop it in your calendar: 25 December 2025 marks the end of the road for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.
From Boxing Day onwards, every vehicle entering the Congestion Zone - yes, even your shiny new Tesla or ID.3 - will have to cough up the full £15 daily fee (or whatever TfL’s charging by then - there’s already talk of it rising to £18).
No more free rides for zero-emission vehicles.
Why the Change?
Before you get too cross at TfL, it’s worth remembering - this isn’t a sudden U-turn.
The phase-out was announced way back in 2018, giving EV owners a solid seven-year heads-up.
The logic comes down to three big reasons:
1. Fairness across the board
With EVs now making up more than 20% of new car sales in London, letting them swerve the charge would leave petrol and diesel drivers footing the bill.
As Mayor Sadiq Khan put it, it’s about levelling the playing field, not rewarding early adopters forever.
2. Funding the future
The Congestion Charge isn’t just a deterrent - it’s a vital revenue stream. It pulls in around £240 million a year, funding bus routes, cycling lanes, and rail upgrades.
With thousands more EVs hitting the roads each month, continued exemptions would punch a serious hole in TfL’s pocket.
3. Congestion over emissions
Let’s be honest - the scheme was never purely about cleaner air. It’s about fewer cars, full stop.
As EV numbers exploded, the CVD started doing the opposite: encouraging more traffic into central London.
That’s why, after 2025, TfL is mulling new discounts for Auto Pay users - possibly 25% off for EVs, dropping to 12.5% by 2030 - but it’s all still in consultation.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you’re zipping into the city regularly, that £15 daily hit could soon stack up - think £75 a month if you’re doing the standard five-day commute.
The takeaway: the age of fee-free driving is ending, even for the cleanest cars on the road. Smarter streets mean everyone doing their bit - electric or not.
How About the ULEZ?
Here’s where things often get muddled. ULEZ (that’s the Ultra Low Emission Zone) sounds a lot like the Congestion Charge, but they’re completely different schemes - with different goals, rules, and coverage.
While the Congestion Charge targets central London traffic, the ULEZ covers all of Greater London - that’s 32 boroughs plus the City, spanning more than 1,500 square kilometres.
It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every single day except Christmas Day.
Its aim? Purely air quality.
The ULEZ hits older, high-polluting petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles with a £12.50 daily charge, and it’s working - NO₂ levels in central areas have dropped by around 45% since 2019.
The Good News for EV Owners
If you drive an electric vehicle, breathe easy - you’re completely exempt from ULEZ charges. No registration. No fees. No expiry date.
As long as your car is zero-emission, you can roam from Hillingdon to Havering without paying a penny.
This exemption is permanent, perfectly aligned with the UK’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars and London’s net-zero ambitions.
And just to clear up the confusion: that 2025 deadline doing the rounds on social media? That’s the Congestion Charge exemption, not ULEZ. Your EV remains ULEZ-free indefinitely.
The Bottom Line
For EV drivers, this adds up to serious savings - up to £4,500 a year for those who’d otherwise face daily ULEZ fees.
So, while central London trips will soon come with a Congestion Charge, your day-to-day drives across Greater London stay gloriously charge-free.
What This Means for EV Owners
Let’s be clear: the end of the Cleaner Vehicle Discount isn’t the end of affordable EV driving in London - not even close.
But it does mean it’s time to sharpen your pencil and rethink your running costs.
If you’re living or working full-time inside the Congestion Zone, that £15 daily fee could soon add up to more than £3,000 a year.
So, if you’re eyeing up a new lease or purchase, make sure that figure’s baked into your budget.
The Silver Lining
Even with the Congestion Charge kicking in from late 2025, EVs still outclass petrol and diesel cars on cost of ownership.
Here’s why:
Zero fuel bills - The average driver saves around £1,500 a year on petrol or diesel alone.
No ULEZ costs - EVs remain fully exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone, indefinitely.
Road tax relief - Enjoy zero Vehicle Excise Duty until 2025 (phasing in gradually for higher-priced models).
Cheaper charging - Use off-peak rates or workplace charging to keep costs down - many spots on BP Pulse, Pod Point, and Shell Recharge offer solid savings.
Smart Moves to Soften the Blow
💡 Optimise your routes
Use Citymapper or Waze to steer clear of the Congestion Zone when possible. Parking just outside and hopping on the Tube can save both time and cash.
💡 Carpool or share
Services like Zipcar’s EV fleet let you split the daily charge - handy if you’re heading into town with colleagues or friends.
💡 Charge at home, not on the street
Installing a home EV charger is still the most cost-effective way to power up.
With smart off-peak tariffs, you can top up overnight for as little as 7p/kWh - often half the cost of public rates.
Check out our EV Charger Installation UK guide for available grants and vetted installer tips.
💡 Choose your EV wisely
Looking for something that fits your budget and London’s tight streets? Head to our Best Electric Cars UK roundup.
Or use our EV Range Comparison tool to see how far your next car will really go in stop-start city traffic.
Final Words
So, yes - electric cars are still Congestion Charge–free for now, thanks to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. But don’t snooze on it.
Register your EV, pay the £10 annual fee, and enjoy the free rides while they last.
Come 25 December 2025, the rules change, and even zero-emission drivers will have to chip in.
The upside? ULEZ remains free for EVs - so your wider London adventures, from Hounslow to Havering, stay cost-free.
Next Steps For Your EV Charger Journey:
When planning to install an EV charger for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section or check out our YouTube channel for informative videos.
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