What Are the Updated Charges?
The daily congestion charge is now:
- £18 if you pay on the same day of travelling, or in advance
- £21 if you pay within 3 days after travel
Congestion Charge Residents' Discount holders will continue to receive a 90% discount and pay a daily charge of £1.80
When Does It Operate?
The congestion charge applies daily if you drive in the Congestion Charging Zone (CCZ)
The timings:
07:00-18:00 Monday-Friday
12:00-18:00 Saturday-Sunday and bank holidays
Charges are not applied from Christmas Day through to the New Year’s Day bank holiday.
Changes to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount
The previous 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount has ended
To encourage the switch to electric vehicles and keep the Congestion Charge effective, a new tiered discount system has been introduced. Discounts are only available for electric vehicles registered for Auto Pay.
The New Discount Details
- 25% discount on the daily charge for electric cars registered on Auto Pay
- 50% discount on the daily charge for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles registered on Auto Pay
- Daily charge for electric cars: £13.50 instead of £18
- Daily charge for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles: £9 instead of £18
The discounted charge is only available for electric vehicles on Auto Pay. If the vehicle is not registered for Auto Pay, the discounted charge will not apply.
Why Have the Changes Been Made?
Without these changes, an additional 2,000 vehicles could drive through the zone during operating hours on an average weekday. This is compared to a ‘do nothing’ scenario. Such an increase would undermine the benefits of the Congestion Charge, leading to more queues and delays, negatively affecting London’s economy, local businesses, bus passengers, and other essential services.
Why not check out more Driver Advice from us
Driver AdviceFuture Changes to the Congestion Charge
From 4 March 2030
- 12.5% discount for electric cars on Auto Pay.
- 25% discount for electric vans, HGVs, and quadricycles on Auto Pay.
How to Get the Discount
UK-Registered Vehicles
Register for a London Road User Charging account and set up Auto Pay.
Add the vehicle you drive in the zone to your Auto Pay service.
No fee is required to set up Auto Pay or add vehicles.
No separate application is needed for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount
If already registered and vehicle details are correct, no action is needed.
The discount is applied automatically.
Vehicles can be added or removed via ‘Manage Auto Pay’ in your account.
Non-UK Registered Vehicles
Must be registered with TfL and on Auto Pay to qualify for the discount.
Vehicles Not Eligible
Only electric cars, vans, HGVs, and quadricycles are eligible
Other electric vehicles such as buses, coaches, and minibuses may qualify for other discounts such as the 9+ seater discount.
Car Clubs
100% discount applies to electric car club vehicles picked up and returned to the same bay within the CCZ.
Other Discounts
Existing discounts for Blue Badge holders, 9+ seater vehicles, and accredited breakdown and recovery vehiclesremain unchanged.
Changes to the Residents' Discount (from 1 March 2027)
Existing Discount Holders
Keep the 90% discount for all vehicle types, including new and replacement vehicles.
No change if the discount is renewed annually.
The 90% discount will only apply to electric vehicles
Residents on certain low-income or disability benefits can add non-electric vehicles if applied before 4 March 2030
- Eligible benefits
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
Mayoral Guidance Changes
New process allows routine updates to London’s Road User Charging schemes without public consultation.
Congestion Charge could increase each year in line with Tube fares plus inflation plus 1% or a lower amount.
Increases only apply to the Congestion Charge and not ULEZ
Any increase is not automatic and requires TfL and Mayor approval
Ensures costs of driving remain proportional to public transport fares.