For years, London’s Cleaner Vehicle Discount has allowed electric vehicles to travel through the congestion zone for free.
But proposed changes from Transport to London mean that from Christmas Day this year, drivers of electric vehicles will no longer be exempt from paying the city’s congestion charge.
Drivers of electric vehicles will have to pay up to £13.50 a day to enter central London, and investment in charging infrastructure could also be put at risk, just as the city needs to accelerate to meet its 2030 net zero goals.
That’s why the Electric London coalition, following The Standard’s Leading the Charge campaign, is calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to reverse the decision to scrap the electric vehicles’ (EVs) exemption from the congestion charge.
Over the course of three special episodes, we’ll be exploring what it all means for the air we breathe, the city’s electric vehicle infrastructure and the people most affected.
Episode one
Electric London – Clean Air at a Crossroads
Listen here on your chosen podcast platform.
London has made huge strides in cleaning up its air – with nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter levels dropping sharply thanks to bold policies, investment in public transport, and the rise of electric vehicles.
But proposed changes to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount could see EV drivers paying the congestion charge from Christmas Day, raising questions about the city’s next steps.
It’s why the Electric London coalition, following The Standard’s Leading the Charge campaign, is calling on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to reverse the decision to scrap EVs’ exemption.
In this 'Clean Air' episode, The Standard's Business Editor, Jonathan Prynn, speaks with Georgina McGivern and Valeria Pensabene from the London Clean Air Initiative, and Nick Smith from the Clean Air Fund, to explore what this shift could mean for businesses, residents, and the future of London’s air quality.
Episode two
Powering Up: Investment and Infrastructure
Listen here on your chosen podcast platform.
London is rapidly expanding its electric vehicle infrastructure, with over 21,000 charging points across the city – nearly a third of the UK’s total.
But to meet its 2030 net zero targets, London will need tens of thousands more, with significant investment required across all boroughs.
Upcoming changes to the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, which would end EVs’ exemption from the congestion charge, risk slowing that progress.
The Electric London coalition, following The Standard’s Leading the Charge campaign, is calling on Mayor Sadiq Khan to protect London’s EV uptake and ongoing infrastructure growth.
In this second special episode focusing on investment and infrastructure, The Standard’s Business Editor, Jonathan Prynn, speaks with Matt Croucher, Chief Commercial Officer at ChargePoint operator Believ, and Judy O’Keefe, Director of Fleet at Openreach, who is overseeing one of the UK’s largest commercial EV transitions.
They explore what it takes to electrify London at scale, the challenges facing fleet operators and charging providers, and what needs to happen to keep the city on track for a cleaner, electric future.
