Do electric and hybrid cars pay the congestion charge?

Do electric & hybrid cars pay the congestion charge in London?

The Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) exempts vehicles from paying the standard congestion charge. Previously, hybrid cars with CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km and meeting the Euro 5 standards could apply for a congestion charging discount through CVD. But as of October 2021, most hybrids don’t qualify for the congestion charge discount – only zero-emission cars such as hydrogen fuel cell or fully electric vehicles do.

All electric vehicles are currently exempt from the London congestion charge and the ULEZ charge under the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. You need to apply for this discount in advance – this remains until Christmas Day 2025.

Instead of paying the standard £15 daily charge, you’ll pay £10 for a year’s exemption until the CVD scheme comes to an end on the 25th of December 2025.

Other types of congestion charge exemptions

There are various types of vehicles automatically exempt from paying the London congestion charge, including emergency response vehicles, taxis, two-wheeled motorised vehicles, and vehicles with disabled taxation status. No action is required for these exemptions, provided the vehicle is correctly registered with the DVLA.

There are also discounts and exemptions available for the following:

• Residents
• NHS staff
• NHS patients
• Breakdown and recovery vehicles
• Blue badge holders
• Taxis
• Motor-tricycles
• Vehicles with more than nine seats
• Ultra-low emissions vehicles
• Disable Passenger Vehicles
• Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV)

You need to apply for these in advance. You may get a full discount, applicable through the Transport for London website.

How do you apply for ULEZ exemption?

If your vehicle is eligible, you can apply for a full discount on the London congestion charge through the Transport for London website.

• Create a London Road User Charging account.
• You can add up to five vehicles and set up Auto Pay.
• You can also use the account to complete your discount application for eligible vehicles. This will cost a one-off fee of £10 for each vehicle you register.