What cars are exempt from congestion charge?

Who doesn't have to pay congestion charges?
  • Blue Badge holders.
  • Roadside recovery vehicles.
  • Accredited breakdown vehicles.
  • Vehicles with nine or more seats.
  • Cars that emit 75g/km or less of CO2.
  • Zero-emission vehicles (Fully electric vehicles and any other zero emissions vehicles)




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Who is exempt from the congestion charge? Zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars are exempt from paying the congestion charge, as are motorbikes. If you drive an EV, you need to apply for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount before driving into the charge zone.

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This includes most combustion-engined cars on the road, including hybrids. Only zero-emission cars have been exempt from the Congestion Charge, such as electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. However, from December 2025, even drivers of zero-emission vehicles will be required to pay the congestion charge.

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Drive a lower emission car if possible. Electric cars are exempt from the London Congestion Charge. If you're only visiting for the day, consider parking outside the zone and using public transport for the rest of your journey.

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That means you won't need to pay the fee if you drive into a congestion zone in an electric car, so that can save some real money if you regularly drive in the city. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are not exempt from the charges, and you'll have to pay if you drive in congestion charge zones.

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In December 2025, TfL will stop the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, which allows EVs to be exempt from the Congestion Charge. Unless changes are made before 2025, all EVs will have to pay the Congestion Charge to access the London Congestion Charge zone during their charging hours.

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The congestion zones themselves work by using cameras to capture the registration plates of those driving there. A fee will be issued to you if you have not pre-paid, and you will be notified of this – so, even if you drove in the zone accidentally, you will find out.

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