London’s congestion charge could increase next year: cost, zone map and everything you need to know

Central London’s congestion charge has remained the same price for the last five years. But, according to Transport for London, it’s time for it to be increased. 

The congestion charge is in place to encourage Londoners to use more sustainable modes of travel and decrease emissions in the city centre. TfL wants to raise the charge in order to keep encourage more people to make the eco-friendly switch. 

Nothing’s set in stone yet though. TfL has launched a public consultation over its proposals in order to hear what people living and working in the area have to say. It started on May 27 and will be open until August 5 – you can have your say here. But first, here’s everything you need to know about the proposed changes to London’s congestion charge. 

Why is the congestion charge going up? 

TfL said that it the increase would help further incentivise people to consider electric vehicles or use public transport. It added that if the charge stays the same, there would be around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charge zone on an average weekday next year. 

How much could London’s congestion be increased by?

As per TfL’s proposals, the charge would increase by 20 percent from £15 to £18, if paid in advance or on the day of travel.  

At the moment, the congestion charge rises from £15 to £17.50 if it’s not paid by midnight on the third day of travel. Under TfL’s plans, that higher price will rise to £21. 

When would the charge increase?

The price hike would come into place from January 2026. 

Where is London’s congestion charge zone?

The congestion charge zone covers central London, including the City of London, Soho, Southwark and Lambeth, bordered by major roads like Euston Road, Commercial Street, Tower Bridge Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road. 

Who has to pay the congestion charge?

The better question is who doesn’t have to pay. At the moment, all electric vehicles can go through the congestion charge zone for free, but that exemption is due to end from December 25 this year. TfL’s new proposals say that zero-emissions should be given a discount. 

The ‘New Cleaner Vehicle Discount’ would come into place from January 2, 2026. Electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles will have to pay £9 a day (50 percent discount) and electric cars will have to pay £13.50 (25 percent discount). From March 4, 2030, those discounts would be reduced to 25 percent and 12.5 percent. 

At the moment residents driving non-electric cars enjoy a 90 percent congestion charge discount. From March 2027, that will be abolished for any new applicants. TfL said: ‘Those who are already registered for the discount ahead of this date will not see any changes, reflecting that they might be reliant on their current form of transport.’

What have people said about the proposals? 

Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities Campaign, said: ‘We’ve record numbers of polluting diesel vans in the UK so I’m thrilled the Mayor is helping to reward businesses that invest in greener fleets. By prioritising electric and pedal powered freight, we will all benefit from cleaner air and quieter streets.

‘There’s no use having a congestion charge that nobody pays so I think today’s proposals strike a fair balance between its core aims around traffic and congestion, whilst also advancing our environmental goals.’

However, on the other side of the argument, Michael Lloyd, the FSB's London infrastructure champion, said: ‘Many businesses, particularly in sectors where margins are so tight, will not able to absorb these extra costs.

‘Businesses will look to charge customers in the charging zone a premium for their business services, which will heighten inflationary pressures further.

‘The mayor should immediately reconsider the excessive increase and make it more palatable to struggling small firms. We urge the mayor to maintain a zero charge for small van users.’