We are hiring! Are you an experienced technician? Join our outstanding team »
We are hiring! Are you an experienced technician? Join our outstanding team »
Buying an electric car offers a wide range of benefits to both the driver and society as a whole.
As well as ensuring you’re prepared for the future ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles that is set to be introduced in 2035, EVs are far better for the environment than fuel cars and do not pollute the air around us.
Not only can you make the most of these benefits with an EV, but there are also a number of financial incentives on offer to encourage motorists to make a purchase. This includes government-backed grants.
But what about London’s congestion charge?
In this article, The Windscreen Company will examine whether EVs are exempt from this charge, providing you with everything you need to know about the issue.
Before we take a look at whether EVs are exempt from the congestion charge, let’s first outline exactly what it is.
Inspired by a similar scheme in Singapore, the London congestion charge was formally introduced in February 2003. As London is one of the busiest cities in the world, the charge was initiated as an attempt to deter people from driving during peak hours, and encourage the use of public transport. As well as trying to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads, the charge was also introduced to combat air pollution caused by vehicles. With this in mind, people are required to pay a daily fee to drive their vehicles in central London.
At the time of writing, the congestion charge is £15 daily between the hours of 7am-6pm Monday-Friday and 12pm-6pm on the weekend and bank holidays (there is no charge on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Sometimes, people confuse the congestion charge with the Ultra Low Emission Zone, more commonly known as ULEZ. ULEZ is a charge that was introduced in London in 2019 in an attempt to minimise pollution and improve air quality. Most modern vehicles meet ULEZ standards, but for those that don’t a £12.50 daily charge is in place. The scheme was expanded in 2021 and again in 2023 to cover larger areas of London after scientific studies discovered it had had a positive impact on reducing air pollution.
London is not the only city in the UK with this type of clean air charge in place. Birmingham, Bath and Portsmouth all introduced similar schemes in 2021 with more cities looking to follow suit in the future.
Both the congestion charge and ULEZ use number plate tracking technology to track motorists.
All zero-emission EVS are currently exempt from paying the congestion charge. Plug-in hybrids also used to be exempt, but this was changed in 2021.
This means that EV owners are able to drive throughout London at any time they please without having to pay any charge.
The reason for the exemption is to encourage the use of EVs and improve air quality in these cities. Likewise, EVs are also fully exempt from ULEZ charges in London (and the same goes for those EV drivers in Birmingham, Bath and Portsmouth).
However, changes to congestion charge exemptions are set to be introduced in 2025.
Transport for London (TfL) has announced that December 2025 will see the Cleaner Vehicle Discount come to an end, meaning EV drivers will also have to pay the congestion charge.
While EVs are currently exempt from paying the congestion charge, car owners have to make sure their vehicles have registered for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount with TfL.
To do this, simply visit TfL’s website and find the ‘Discounts and Exemptions’ page where you can register your vehicle as zero emissions. This will allow you to freely drive through London without having to worry about the congestion charge. To register, it will cost you £10, but this is clearly far more cost-effective than forking out £15 every day. Somewhat annoyingly you must re-register your vehicle, and pay the £10 fee again, on an annual basis.
If you drive into London without registering your electric car or paying the Congestion Charge, you will be fined £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days).
Here at The Windscreen Company, we provide leading windscreen services to every type of vehicle, including electric cars. Our electric and hybrid windscreen repair and replacement service can repair any windscreen damage your EV has sustained, getting you moving again as soon as possible. Many EVs have advanced driver assistance systems, or ADAS, in place. When we carry out any work on an EV, our team of expert technicians will carry out windscreen recalibration as standard to ensure these systems are working as they should be. Working across the West Midlands and the South East, get in touch with our team today.
The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.
The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.
© The Windscreen Company 2024. All Rights Reserved.
The Windscreen Company is a registered company in England.
Registered Number: 3545701 VAT Number: 720 0628 78
By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, assist in our marketing efforts, and for personalised advertising.