Overview
- Effective 2 January 2026, the daily Congestion Charge increases from £15 to £18, with the late payment cost rising from £17.50 to £21.
- Electric vehicles must now pay the charge, with electric cars on Auto Pay receiving a 25% discount to £13.50 and electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles getting 50% off.
- TfL and Mayor Sadiq Khan cite congestion reduction as the goal, projecting roughly 2,000 fewer vehicles on central roads and warning of 2,200 extra daily without reform.
- Current holders of the 90% Residents' Discount keep it regardless of vehicle type, while new applications from March 2027 will require an electric vehicle and targeted support runs to 2030.
- Drivers and industry groups warn the change could deter EV uptake and lift minicab fares, with the AA arguing the removal of the exemption could slow the switch to electric.