Drivers across London have been warned they could be forced to pay £18 daily in Congestion Charge costs under the new proposals.
It comes as Transport for London looks to increase the uptake of electric vehicles and promote sustainable travel throughout the capital, with drivers now having to pay the price.
Under new proposals, the transport authority is looking to set the daily charge for travelling in the city centre to £18 from January 2026, up from its current £15 fee.
Another proposal aims to encourage more drivers to switch to greener vehicles by offering discounts for owners of zero emission cars.
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Drivers currently pay a £15 daily fee for entering the London Congestion Charge
PABefore the changes are introduced, TfL has launched a consultation on the changes, which will run until August 4, with drivers urged to respond.
The Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD), which currently allows EV drivers to travel for free in the Congestion Charge zone, is due to end on December 25, 2025.
TfL has now proposed a new CVD that offers a better discount for journeys that are harder to replace with walking, cycling and public transport, such as those made by vans for commercial purposes.
The proposed new discount would come in two waves, with the first one being introduced from January 2, 2026, which would offer a 50 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay. It would also offer a 25 per cent discount for electric cars.
The second round of changes, which would take effect from March 4, 2030, include offering a 25 per cent discount for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay and a 12.5 per cent discount for electric cars.
This would be the first time that the Congestion Charge has been increased since 2020, with millions of Londoners potentially being hit with higher costs for driving in the capital.
The proposal also suggests that from March 1 2027, the resident discount for paying the Congestion Charge will only apply to drivers of electric vehicles.
The consultation is also looking at changing the Mayor’s road user charging guidance, which would allow the Congestion Charge to be increased each year. It noted that the increases would only apply to the Congestion Charge and not to the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez).
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The changes will see electric car owners offered 25 per cent discounts on the Congestion Charge
PASeb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: "Keeping London moving by reducing congestion is vital for our city and for our economy.
"The Congestion Charge has been a huge success since its introduction, but we must ensure it is fit for purpose. Sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year."
He explained that while improving air pollution in the city, TfL also aimed to support Londoners and businesses in using greener and more sustainable travel.
"That’s why I’m pleased we’re proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles. We encourage everyone to have their say and respond to the public consultation," he added.
Electric vehicle owners will have to pay the Congestion Charge from December 25, 2025PAChristina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy, explained that the Congestion Charge has been "hugely successful" in supporting the move to electric vehicles and increasing walking, cycling and the use of public transport.
She added: "With these proposed changes, we want to make sure it continues to be effective in managing traffic and congestion in central London while providing ongoing support to those who need to drive in the zone to make the switch to an electric vehicle. I would encourage people to respond to the consultation to help shape our plans."
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