Environmental and clean air groups have criticised Transport for London (TfL) over its plans to scrap the “important” congestion charge exemption for drivers of electric vehicles.
Transport for London is consulting on proposals to end the 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) for EVs that has been a strong incentive to switch to greener vehicles since 2019. It is due to come to an end on 2 January.
The Standard has launched a campaign against the move under the banner “Leading the Charge.”
Under its original plans TfL wanted to scrap the exemption altogether, making EV drivers pay the same amount as owners of the dirtiest petrol and diesel vehicles.
Now in a partial rethink TfL proposes it should be replaced with a 50% discount for commercial vehicles and 25% for private cars when the new £18 congestion charge rate kicks in.
While welcome, that will still force EV van and drivers to pay £9 a day to enter central London from the New Year while car drivers will have to fork out £13.50.
But the move is being seen as a backward step after years of encouraging progress in cleaning up London’s once notoriously filthy air.
Environmental groups currently marking London Climate Action Week are particularly concerned that the change in policy could slow down the conversion of diesel delivery van fleets to non polluting green alternatives.
Nick Davies, head of climate policy at at the environmental think-tank Green Alliance, said: “People are increasingly choosing electric vehicles in London, with private registrations growing by 40 per cent last year.
“This means they’ll save money in the long run and help all Londoners breathe cleaner air. But introducing new charges could slow down progress, particularly for delivery vans, which are some of the most polluting vehicles on London roads.”
Jemima Hartshorn, director of the grassroots environmental campaign group Mums for Lungs said: “There are far too many cars in central London, polluting our air and clogging up our roads. Ten thousands of children are struggling to breathe and cleaning up our air will help them breathe more easily.
“The congestion charge is a tool to help with that. But we have a significant diesel van problem and we need TfL to provide more support to smaller companies and charities in changing their fleet towards electric vans. We believe these should be exempt from the congestion charge for longer.”
Jenny Bates, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said: "We cannot afford to take our foot off the accelerator when it comes to the transition to electric vehicles, as it could threaten progress on our legally binding climate targets and cleaner air.
"It's been heartening to see the number of electric cars on the road skyrocket, with 2025 on track for a record year in sales. But there is much more work to do, particularly when it comes to encouraging more van drivers to make the switch.
We support the call for an exemption to the congestion charge for small businesses making the swap to electric vans and heavy goods vehicles.
"But with more road users switching to electric, we need to guard against London clogging-up with traffic. Ultimately, as all vehicles produce air pollution from brake and tyre wear and road abrasion, electric vehicles are only part of the solution in the journey to clean air and less emissions."
Georgina McGivern, co-founder of The London Clean Air Initiative, said: “We believe the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) has certainly played an important role in improving air quality across London, and It is possible that eliminating the 100% discount could deter some future buyers from choosing an EV.
“While electric vehicles are a great step forward, they are however not a perfect solution — they still contribute to congestion, road danger, and particulate pollution from tyres and brakes. To truly transform our city, we need to see a reduction in car trips altogether, with fewer vehicles on the road and more people choosing to walk, cycle, or take public transport.”
The end of the Congestion Charge exemption is just the latest blow for current and prospective EV drivers.
The Plug-in Car Grant purchase incentive for electric models was removed in 2022 and since April EV owners have had to pay Vehicle Excise duty road tax just like those who drive petrol and diesel cars.
TfL has said the reduction in the CVD will “provide long-term support for the cleanest vehicles, recognising their contribution to reducing poor air quality and cutting carbon emissions, while ensuring their numbers do not significantly contribute to increased traffic and congestion in the congestion charge zone”.
Leading The Charge is supported by commercial partners which share the project’s aims but our journalism remains editorially independent.
