London congestion cost might rise to £18 a day beneath new proposals

London’s congestion cost might rise by 20% subsequent yr beneath new proposals, within the first hike since 2020.

Transport for London (TfL) has began a session on behalf of London mayor Sadiq Khan to extend the every day cost from £15 to £18 from January 2026.

The charge was final put up 5 years in the past, with a 30% rise from £11.50.

Mixed with the £12.50 ultra-low emission zone cost, house owners of older vehicles must pay £30.50 a day to drive within the capital.

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A second proposal is a brand new cleaner car low cost which is able to see a 50% low cost for electrical vans, heavy items autos and quadricycles utilizing Auto Pay and a 25% low cost for electrical vehicles utilizing Auto Pay.

At the moment, all electrical autos can drive via the congestion zone at no cost however that’s set to finish on Christmas Day this yr.

The proposal additionally suggests electrical autos ought to get much less of a reduction by 4 March 2030, with 25% for the primary set of autos and 12.5% low cost for electrical vehicles.

TfL mentioned the reductions can be utilized mechanically based mostly on DVLA information so eligible prospects will not should register for the cleaner car low cost and pay a registration charge.

A 3rd proposal would have an effect on residents not utilizing an electrical automobile, as the present 90% blanket residents’ low cost can be faraway from 1 March 2027.

TfL mentioned this might be applicable to “incentivise” residents to personal “the cleanest obtainable autos”.

Nevertheless, it mentioned the removing of the 90% low cost for non-EVs would solely apply to new candidates, so these already registered for the residents’ low cost wouldn’t should pay the cost every day.

The session, which runs till 4 August on TfL’s “have your say” web site, mentioned the modifications will make the congestion cost “simpler in managing visitors and congestion”.

“The mayor additionally has ambitions for London to turn out to be a net-zero carbon metropolis by 2030 and for the World Well being Organisation’s air high quality tips to be achieved as quickly as potential,” it provides.

Seb Dance, deputy mayor for transport, mentioned: “Holding London transferring by decreasing congestion is important for our metropolis and for our financial system.

“The congestion cost has been an enormous success since its introduction, however we should guarantee it’s match for goal.

“Sticking to the established order would see round 2,200 extra autos utilizing the congestion charging zone on a median weekday subsequent yr.

“On the identical time, we should assist Londoners and companies to make use of greener and extra sustainable journey. That is why I am happy we’re proposing that substantial incentives stay in place for Londoners who change to cleaner autos.

“We encourage everybody to have their say and reply to the general public session.”

The congestion cost zone was first launched by Ken Livingstone in 2003 at £5 a day and was doubled in 2010, then rose once more in 2014 to £11.50.

The zone is likely one of the largest on the planet, regardless of it being lowered in 2007 and 2011.

In 2019, the ultra-low emission zone was launched for autos that don’t meet the emissions requirements, so they have to pay each costs.

It was expanded in 2023 to cowl the entire of Higher London.

Failure to pay the congestion cost on time can imply a effective of between £65 and £195.