Do electric cars pay the London Congestion Charge?

What changed

Electric cars used to get a 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount from the Congestion Charge. TfL says that discount has now ended. A new Cleaner Vehicle Discount began on 2 January 2026 for electric cars, vans, heavy goods vehicles and quadricycles registered with Auto Pay.

What an electric car gets now

An electric car on Auto Pay gets a 25% discount, and TfL applies it automatically if the vehicle is eligible and registered with Auto Pay, so there is nothing to apply for. Electric vans, heavy goods vehicles and quadricycles get 50%. From 4 March 2030 the discount for electric cars on Auto Pay falls to 12.5%.

If you buy a used electric car, register it with Auto Pay or you will not get the discount.

What the charge is and when it applies

The Congestion Charge is £18 a day if paid on the day or in advance, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day after travel. It applies from 07:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 12:00 to 18:00 on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. There is no charge between Christmas Day and the New Year’s Day bank holiday, inclusive.

The ULEZ is separate

TfL says the Congestion Charge discounts do not apply to the Ultra Low Emission Zone. The ULEZ charges cars that do not meet its emissions standard, and TfL’s own advice on going electric points out that electric cars emit no NOx from the tailpipe.