Electric car drivers must pay new fees from today

electric car Drivers in central London must now pay fares in the capital congestion chargeending their immunity.

mayor Sadiq Khan Confirm changes Novembereffective from Friday.

Daily charges for non-electric vehicles have also increased for the first time since 2020, from £15 to £18.

The Congestion Charge was introduced in 2003 and covers the central London area from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and from 12pm to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.

Purely battery-powered electric vehicles would have been eligible for a 100% discount, but starting Friday, the discount dropped to 25% on sedans and 50% on vans and trucks.

this Electric car discounts From March 4, 2030, the car tax rate will be further reduced to 12.5%, and the van and truck tax rate will be further reduced to 25%.

Residents living within the zone will receive discounts of up to 90%.

However, people moving into the area after March 1, 2027 will not receive the discount unless they use an electric vehicle.

It comes ahead of what’s known as “Manic Monday,” the first work Monday of the year that’s expected to be one of the worst days for breakdowns.

The alliterative title was given to the car on January 5 by the AA, which said there was likely to be a surge in calls for help as motorists head out in their unused cars over the Christmas period.

Why change?

TfL said CCZs remain an important tool to ease traffic pressures in central London and that previous exemptions for electric vehicles are increasingly undermining the effectiveness of the scheme as they become more common.

As the official briefing note states: “Without these changes, we estimate the number of vehicles traveling in the congestion charge zone during operating hours on an average weekday would have been more than 2,000.”

Mr Khan said: “Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital to our city and our economy. While the congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, we must ensure it is fit for purpose. If the status quo is maintained, around 2,200 vehicles will use the congestion charge zone on an average working day next year.”

“We must support Londoners and businesses to use more sustainable modes of travel, so I’m pleased that while we work to build a greener, better London for everyone, there will still be significant incentives for Londoners to switch to cleaner vehicles.”