Drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) will have to pay congestion charges in central London early next year – a move described by the AA as a “backward” step.
From 2 January, the owners of electric cars will be charged £13.50 a day, while electric van and lorry drivers will pay £9.
These are reductions of 25% and 50% respectively on the £18 which other motorists will have to pay from that date, a £3 increase on the current fee of £15.
At the moment, pure battery-powered EVs are eligible for a 100% discount on the congestion charge, which was first introduced in 2003.
The charges are paid to drive into central London between 7am and 6pm on weekdays, and between noon and 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Mayor Sadiq Khan has insisted it is essential the scheme “stays fit for purpose”, claiming the capital faces an increase of 2,200 extra vehicles in the zone on an average weekday next year.
The EV discount will be cut further from 4 March 2030, to 12.5% for cars and 25% for vans and lorries.
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But Ginny Buckley, chief executive of EV advice website Electrifying.com, said: “It’s far too soon for TfL (Transport for London) to remove exemptions for electric vehicles from the London congestion charge.”
‘Move will backfire on air quality’
Edmund King, the AA president, has urged Sir Sadiq to reconsider.
He said: “This is a backward step which sadly will backfire on air quality in London.
“Many drivers are not quite ready to make the switch to electric vehicles, so incentives are still needed to help them over the line.
“This policy sends a confusing signal. You can’t champion clean air while penalising the vehicles that deliver it.”
EVs will account for nearly a fifth of all vehicles in the congestion charging zone by the end of this year, according to Transport for London (TfL).
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Without the changes, TfL has estimated there could be more than 2,000 additional vehicles on the roads during operating hours in the zone on an average weekday.
TfL said this would “undermine the benefits” of the scheme by causing “more queues and delays”.
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.”
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The decision to put up the charges comes ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget – when there are suggestions she could bring in a pay as you drive tax on EVs in the upcoming budget.
