Do I Need to Register an Electric Car for the London Congestion Charge?
And what about the London LEZ and ULEZ?
All zero-emissions vehicles are eligible for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, but you must still register them with Transport For London (TFL) to drive in the zone. This will help you avoid a fine.
This article will explain how to register your electric car for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.
What is the Congestion Charge?
The London Congestion Charge is a fee that drivers must pay to drive through the busier area of central London.
The charge is daily, and applies from 7:00am to 18:00pm Monday to Friday, and 12:00pm to 18:00pm weekends and bank holidays.
Are Electric Vehicles Currently Exempt?
Currently, 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. 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).
However, things are changing in 2025…
Will EVs Have to Pay in 2025?
From the 25th of December 2025, the Cleaner Vehicle Discount is being discontinued.
TfL cites the reason for the discontinuation as maintaining the effectiveness of the scheme. As more people are adapting EVs, the higher the number of electric vehicles will be using the zone.
By charging everyone the same fee, TfL hopes to continue to manage traffic and congestion in Central London.
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.
You can register your electric car for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount on the TFL website.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
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.
The congestion charge only applies between 7:00 and 18:00, whereas Clean Air Zones are 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Read More
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.