Do I Need to Register an Electric Car For the London Congestion Charge?

Electric cars do not need to pay the London Congestion Charge but you must still register them with Transport For London (TFL) to drive in the zone. This will help you avoid a fine. 

All zero-emissions vehicles are eligible for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. This exemption means you don't have to pay to drive through the Congestion Charge zone. In order to be eligible, your zero-emissions car or van must be registered in the UK or the European Economic Area (EEA) and weigh less than 3.5 tonnes (gross).

This article will explain how to register your electric car for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. It will also give a brief overview of driving in London, both through the Low Emission (LEZ) and Ultra-Low Emissions Zones and driving through all three zones in a non-electric vehicle (ICE).

 

How Do I Register My Electric Car For the Congestion Charge Cleaner Vehicle Discount?

You can register for this discount online or by post and you must renew it annually. While it allows you to drive through the zone for free, there is a £10 registration charge to pay every year.

For a UK-registered vehicle, you must upload an image or send a photocopy of your car’s V5C (logbook) to apply for the discount. For an EEA-registered vehicle, you must upload an image or photocopy the vehicle registration document issued by your vehicle licensing agency.

In both cases, this document must clearly show that your vehicle is registered as a “Battery Electric” or “Hydrogen Fuel Cell” vehicle. You can either upload these documents as part of your online application or email/post them later on.

 

You can register your electric car for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount on the TFL website.

 

What About the Low Emission or Ultra-Low Emissions Zones?

Most electric car drivers DO NOT need to register their vehicle to drive through the LEZ or ULEZ. TFL will already know if you own a zero-emissions vehicle and are therefore exempt from the charges.

 

What’s The Difference Between The Congestion Charge And A Clean Air Zone?

The congestion charge in London aims to reduce the number of vehicles in a certain area, especially where traffic may build up. A clean air zone is designed to improve the air quality of an area.

The congestion charge only applies between 7:00 and 18:00, whereas Clean Air Zones are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

What About Drivers of Non-Electric Cars?

All ICEs must pay the Congestion Charge as they don't qualify as zero-emissions vehicles. This works out at £15 - £17.50 per day for a car.

To drive in the LEZ or ULEZ, your vehicle must meet the following emissions standards:

• Euro 3 for motorcycles
• Euro 4 for petrol vehicles
• Euro 6 for diesel vehicles

 

We advise checking TFL guidelines before driving into the LEZ or ULEZ if you're not sure your vehicle meets the right emissions standard.

Some ICEs are exempt from the charges. You will need to register your vehicle in the following situations:

 

(UK Registered Vehicles)

• TFL lists it as NOT meeting LEZ/ULEZ standards, but you have evidence that it does
• You are a showman with a modified or specially constructed vehicle

 

(Non-UK Registered Vehicles)

• TFL lists it as NOT meeting LEZ/ULEZ standards, but you have evidence that it does
• It qualifies for an exemption or discount. 

 

Otherwise, you will have to pay a £12.50 daily charge whenever you drive through the LEZ or ULEZ. You only need to pay once per day, but it charges from Midnight to Midnight. If you entered the zone at 11:59 pm on one day and then reentered the zone at 12:30 am the next day, you would need to pay twice.

You can refer to the full advice from TFL about registering a car for the LEZ or ULEZ for further guidance.

If you regularly drive through one or more of these zones and don't drive an electric car, you might want to consider making the switch this year. You can save yourself a lot of money by doing so.

 

Read More

What Are Clean Air Zones (And Where Are They?)

The LEZ and ULEZ in London are forms of Clean Air Zones, a relatively new way of improving the air quality in several major UK cities. Find out more about these schemes in this article, including where they are and what you'll be charged to drive through them.

 

Is an Electric Car Right For Me?

If you currently have to pay the Congestion Charge or to drive through the LEZ or ULEZ in London, you will spend a lot of money this year. Switching to an electric car might help you to avoid many of those expenses. Find out if an electric car meets your driving needs and is right for you in 2022.

 

What Cars Are Exempt From The London Congestion Charge?

If you live in London or you’re planning a trip, you’ll have to take into consideration the daily congestion charge. Some cars are exempt from the charge due to several reasons – does your vehicle fall under the exemption bracket? Find out in this article.