London Mayor Sadiq Khan has come under fire for his decision to scrap the electric vehicle exemption from the capital’s Congestion Charge this December, ending a policy that has been in place for seven years.
The Cleaner Vehicle Discount, which allows electric car drivers to avoid the daily £15 fee for entering central London, will cease on December 25, 2025.
During a recent London Assembly meeting, Sir Khan defended the move, stating that the end of the discount had been planned since 2018.
He emphasised that Transport for London has conducted consultations on introducing a modified discount scheme rather than eliminating it.
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The London Mayor acknowledged that ending the EV exemptions to road charges was a ‘big concession’
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LONDON ASSEMBLY/PA
The Mayor also acknowledged that the decision represents “a big concession from the original decision” made seven years ago.
Sir Khan explained that the Congestion Charge system had proven highly effective since its implementation, achieving a 30 per cent decrease in congestion within the zone and cutting circulating traffic by half.
The scheme’s primary purpose was to manage traffic flow by limiting vehicle numbers entering central London during charging hours. But, as the Congestion Charge looks to increase to £18, Sir Khan has faced backlash for allowing electric car owners to pay the daily fee for the first time.
The green discount has been in place since the Congestion Charge began, encouraging drivers who must enter the zone to choose fewer polluting vehicles. This incentive has contributed to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions across the capital.
However, the upcoming removal of the discount follows research that, without the new proposals, approximately 2,200 additional vehicles would enter the Congestion Charge zone every week next year.
The transport authority recently completed a consultation process on potential modifications to the current system, which included a less impactful discount for EV owners.
The new proposals aimed to strike a balance between the Congestion Charge’s traffic management objectives and supporting drivers who require vehicles to choose the cleanest options available.
Implementation of the new fees remains contingent on reviewing consultation feedback and Sir Khan’s final determination on the matter.
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One Assembly Member, who was not present, shared: “We’re concerned on our side that many people who have either moved towards electric or were thinking about still moving towards electric might be stalled because there is no further incentive for them to do so.
“Can you pass on our views about this important work that we want to see continue in terms of encouraging cleaner vehicles and therefore a reduced tariff in some form under a future review?”
Labour group representatives also warned that removing incentives could discourage people from considering the switch to electric vehicles. Assembly members pressed the London Mayor to reconsider the impact on businesses and organisations that have already made substantial investments in electric vehicles.
“Small businesses have invested in electric vehicles,” Sir Khan acknowledged during the meeting, suggesting that finding ways to reward these early adopters after December 2025 merited consideration.
The Mayor indicated that TfL would examine these concerns as part of their report preparation process. He confirmed that the Labour group’s formal representations submitted during the consultation period would be taken into account by transport officials.
He stated that he remained committed to keeping “London moving while supporting sustainable travel” throughout the capital.
He highlighted existing policies supporting the shift to cleaner vehicles, including the Ulez and its accompanying scrappage program, which has assisted businesses in transitioning to less polluting vehicles.
Sir Khan assured assembly members that their concerns had been “received loud and clear” and would inform his final decision on the future of the cleaner vehicle discount.