As part of an effort to reduce congestion and encourage cleaner transport, London’s Congestion Charge has long offered an exemption for electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles. However, from Christmas Day onwards, this exemption will no longer apply. For EV owners, this marks the end of a longstanding benefit, and failure to comply could result in hefty fines. As the New Year approaches, drivers must ensure that their number plate details are updated and correctly registered with Transport for London (TfL) to avoid being caught out by the new rules.
Changes to London’s Congestion Charge
According to Transport for London (TfL), electric and hydrogen vehicles will no longer be exempt from the Congestion Charge from December 25, 2025. This means that from that date, all EVs entering the Congestion Charge Zone will be subject to the full £15 daily fee, regardless of their emissions or environmental credentials.
Furthermore, starting January 2, 2026, any driver who fails to pay the Congestion Charge could face a £160 Penalty Charge Notice (PCN). This automatic fine will be issued if a vehicle is caught by the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, which are used to monitor vehicle entries into the zone.
Chris Coops, director of EV specialists Mr Plates, explained that many EV owners may unknowingly fall foul of the system. “Drivers think because they own an EV, they’re automatically safe, but from January, they’re treated exactly the same as petrol and diesel cars,” Coops said. He warned that the ANPR system could incorrectly flag vehicles if their registration details are outdated or incorrect, leading to fines even if the owner has paid the fee.
The biggest risk lies in vehicles that have undergone registration changes, such as owners who have recently bought a new car, transferred a number plate, or used a personalised registration. In such cases, the ANPR cameras may not recognise the vehicle’s exemption history, even if the vehicle is electric. Coops advises all EV owners to check their registration details with TfL as soon as possible to ensure they are accurate.
How to Avoid Fines: Key Steps for EV Owners
To avoid receiving an unfair fine, Chris Coops recommends that drivers take the following steps before the New Year:
- Log in to your TfL account and confirm that your Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM) details are correct. This step will help ensure that the system recognises your vehicle and its exemption history.
- Inspect your number plate to ensure it is fully legal and readable by ANPR cameras. Plates with illegal spacing, non-standard fonts, or damaged characters are at risk of being misread, potentially leading to penalties.
- Check with your dealer to ensure that any recent purchase or registration changes have been properly processed. Dealers are responsible for submitting the correct paperwork to TfL, which will help avoid any issues with incorrect vehicle records.
While it may seem like a small administrative task, these steps can save EV owners from the headache of disputing fines and prevent unnecessary financial strain as the new rules take effect in the coming months.
In another development, the government’s Cleaner Air Zone (CAZ) upgrade grants to support the purchase of cleaner vehicles will cease on January 30, 2026. According to Newcastle City Council, less than half of the £15 million allocated for the grants has been claimed, leaving millions unspent. The remaining funds will be used to improve the local bus fleet, addressing emissions hotspots in the region. However, eligible individuals and businesses in the area are encouraged to apply before the deadline to secure funding for cleaner vehicles.
With the ending of both the EV exemption in London and the CAZ grants in Newcastle, it’s a crucial time for drivers to ensure they’re up to date on the changes that could affect their ability to drive and pay for their vehicles in these urban zones.
