Sadiq Khan raises London Congestion Charge to £18 from 2026.
Beginning in January, motorists in the Watford region who travel to London will incur an increase in the London Congestion Charge.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has announced that the price would rise from £15 to £18 on January 2, marking the first increase since 2020.
According to Transport for London (TfL), the strategy aims to aid the capital’s green transition while also benefiting businesses and individuals.
TfL has announced that electric vehicles will have to pay the Congestion Charge beginning in January.
London’s Congestion Charge to increase in January
Currently, electric vehicles are completely free from paying the tax; however, this will change in 2026.
Starting January 2, electric vans and lorries will be 50% off, while electric vehicles will be 25% off.
Drivers will only be eligible for the savings if they join up for TfL’s AutoPay system.
The AutoPay mechanism ensures that the discount is automatically withdrawn from the charge in your bank account.
From March 2030, the discount will be decreased to 25% for electric vans and trucks and 12.5% for electric vehicles.
TfL also clarified that residents’ discounts would be limited to individuals who live in the Congestion Charge zone.
The residents’ discount provides a 90% discount on the daily rate; but, beginning March 2027, the discount will only be accessible to new applicants who drive electric vehicles.
People who already live in the area, however, will be unaffected by the changes, and they will remain eligible for the discount regardless of car type.
TfL stated that the measures are being implemented to help promote the transition to electric vehicles and to guarantee that the Congestion Charge remains successful in managing traffic.
Without the improvements, it is predicted that more than 2,000 additional cars might drive through the zone during normal weekday operating hours.
The additional vehicles would most certainly contradict the Congestion Charge’s goal of reducing traffic congestion and delays in London.
Sir Sadiq discussed the modifications, stating that while the congestion charge has been a major success since its implementation, it must remain fit for purpose. Maintaining the status quo will result in almost 2,200 additional vehicles using the 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.”
Former Mayor Ken Livingstone established the Congestion Charge in February 2003, at a cost of £5 per day.
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