The London Mayor has unleashed his wrath once more on motorists.
The London Mayor isn’t spreading any festive cheer for drivers. (Image: Getty )
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has an unwelcome Christmas gift for motorists in the shape of cutting a longstanding exemption to the Congestion Charge. From today, Thursday, December 25, electric vehicles will no longer be fully exempt from paying the Congestion Charge in central London, marking the end of the 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD).
Although the Congestion Charge is not in place on Christmas Day itself, the exemption officially expires today, meaning electric vehicle drivers will start feeling the impact as soon as charging resumes. The change was approved by Sir Sadiq in November, when he stated that the CVD was always intended to be a temporary measure.
More than 112,000 vehicles are currently registered for CVD, compared with just over 20,000 when the scheme launched.
EV drivers will no longer receive a 100% discount. (Image: Getty )
According to Transport for London (TfL), the CVD was introduced in 2019 and was scheduled to run until December 25, 2025. In a previous statement, TfL said a new tiered system would replace the discount “to further encourage greener transport” available via the Auto Pay system. Discounts up to 100% will continue to support low-income and disabled Londoners.
Under the new system, the standard daily Congestion Charge will also increase from £15 to £18 from January 2, 2026.
TfL said: “As part of the first phase from January 2, 2026, there will be a 50% discount for electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay as well as a 25% discount for electric cars, including Private Hire Vehicles, registered for Auto Pay.
“As part of the second phase from March 4, 2030, there will be a 25 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs and quadricycles registered for Auto Pay and a 12.5% discount for electric cars, including Private Hire Vehicles, registered for Auto Pay.”
GB News reports Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, said: “With the Congestion Charge changes starting, drivers need to be aware now because the costs will add up fast if they do nothing. For electric vehicle drivers in particular, going from paying nothing to potentially £90 a week will come as a real shock.
“EV buyers have already lost their exemption from the luxury car tax, and now this. Removing the Congestion Charge exemption will hit ordinary drivers hard – especially those who moved to an EV specifically to avoid such charges and reduce their environmental impact.”
EV drivers will stop receiving a 100% discount on the Congestion Charge from today (Dec 25). (Image: Getty )
In a statement in November, Sir Sadiq said: ”Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy.
“While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it stays fit for purpose, and sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year.
“We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable travel, so I’m pleased that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, as we work to build a greener and better London for everyone.”
