If you’re an electric vehicle driver who regularly travels through London’s Congestion Charge zone, there’s an important change coming that you need to know about.
From 25 December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) will officially come to an end. This means that electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from the £15 daily Congestion Charge.
What’s Changing?
For years, EV drivers have enjoyed free access to London’s Congestion Charge zone thanks to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. This benefit has been a significant perk for zero-emission vehicle owners, making city driving more affordable and encouraging the transition to electric.
However, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that this exemption will end on Christmas Day 2025. From then, all vehicles – including fully electric cars – will need to pay the standard Congestion Charge when entering the zone during charging hours.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you currently drive an EV in London, here’s what you need to prepare for:
- Standard charges apply: You’ll pay the same £15 daily charge as other vehicles (or £17.50 if paying after the travel day)
- No new registrations: TfL stopped accepting new CVD applications earlier this year, so if you haven’t already registered, you won’t be able to
- Existing discounts expire: Even if you’re currently registered for the discount, it will end on 25 December 2025
Why Is This Happening?
The decision to remove the Cleaner Vehicle Discount reflects the growing adoption of electric vehicles across London and the UK. As more drivers switch to EVs, TfL has reviewed the exemption policy to ensure sustainable funding for London’s transport infrastructure.
Planning Ahead
While this change means an additional cost for EV drivers who regularly travel through central London, the benefits of driving electric remain strong:
- Significantly lower running costs compared to petrol and diesel vehicles
- Substantial savings through salary sacrifice schemes like EZOO
- Exemption from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges continues
It’s worth noting that electric vehicles will still be exempt from ULEZ charges (because EVs are zero emissions), which cover a much larger area of London than the Congestion Charge zone.
We recently posted about whether EVs are better for the environment. Read it here >>
Make the Most of Salary Sacrifice
Even with the end of the Congestion Charge exemption, driving an electric vehicle through a salary sacrifice scheme remains one of the most cost-effective ways to get behind the wheel of a new EV. With savings of up to 60% compared to personal leasing or buying, the benefits far outweigh the additional congestion charge costs for most drivers.
At EZOO, we’re committed to making electric vehicle adoption simple and affordable for employees and businesses alike. If you have questions about how these changes might affect you, or if you’re considering making the switch to electric, get in touch with our team – we’re here to help.
Key Dates to Remember
- 25 December 2025: Last day of Cleaner Vehicle Discount
- 26 December 2025: Standard Congestion Charge applies to all vehicles, including EVs
Stay informed, plan ahead, and remember – the transition to electric is still the smartest choice for your wallet and the planet.