Plans to spike the London Congestion Charge to £18 per day has sparked outrage, with many branding the proposal ‘day light robbery’ – but TfL says such measures are necessary
Brits could soon be stung with £18 fees for driving through central London – following controversial proposals to hike the Congestion Charge.
Transport for London (TfL) has unveiled bold plans to increase the £15 daily fee for drivers in the Big Smoke by 20 per cent from January 2, 2026. The increase marks the first rise since 2020, when the fee cost just £11.50.
In place from 7am-6pm Monday through Friday, and 12pm – 6pm on weekends and Bank Holidays, the charge aims to ‘manage traffic and congestion in the heart of London’ at the busiest times of day when road space is ‘most constrained’. TfL states that congestion in the capital cost London £3.85 billion in 2024 alone – averaging out at £942 per driver.
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Its fee increase attempts to curb the additional 2,200 vehicles that would otherwise join the weekday traffic. TfL has also proposed that, from March 2027, and for new applicants only, the Residents’ discount will be available only for electric vehicles. A public consultation on the changes started on May 27 and will end on August 4.
Drivers who don’t pay the charge within 48 hours will face a penalty of £180. However, this is reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Motorists with electric cars (EVs) will receive a 25 per cent discount if they’re registered for Auto Pay – while a 50 per cent discount will be offered for electric vans, Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay.
From March 4, 2030, these discounts will decrease to 25 per cent for electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles registered for Auto Pay – and 12.5 per cent discount for electric cars registered for Auto Pay. TfL is also consulting on some proposed changes to the Mayor’s road user charging guidance, which would allow the Congestion Charge to be increased each year in line with Tube fares, inflation plus 1 per cent or a lower amount.
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Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles are already subject to paying £12.50 to travel anything within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) which was expanding in 2023 to cover all of London’s Borough. This means cars that don’t meet the Ulez requirement will have to pay £30.50 a day to drive through central London.
“The congestion charge has been a huge success since its introduction, but we must ensure it is fit for purpose,” said Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport. “Sticking to the status quo would see around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charging zone on an average weekday next year.
“At the same time we must support Londoners and businesses to use greener and more sustainable travel. That’s why I’m pleased we’re proposing that substantial incentives remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles. We encourage everyone to have their say and respond to the public consultation.”
The proposals were also welcomed by environmental charities including Clean Cities Campaign and Possible. Sophie O’Connell, Senior policy adviser at the Green Alliance said: “It’s great to see London continuing its leadership in encouraging the switch to cleaner vehicles through the proposed changes to the Clean Vehicle Discount.
“With larger incentives for electric vans and delivery vehicles, which have further to go in decarbonising, these changes target the right areas. The new measures send a clear signal: driving a polluting vehicle through central London should not be cheaper than taking public transport, making the cleaner choice the obvious one while supporting both public health and the environment.”
However, the announcement has riled swathes of commuters – who have branded the proposed charges ‘daylight robbery’. “Jeez, how to rinse every pound out of the ordinary working man,” one person complained on X (formerly Twitter). Another scathed: “Another reason not to visit London anymore!” A third added: “Worked in London in the 80s and I wouldn’t visit the capital now if you paid me,” while a fourth dubbed the charge a ‘pure money-making scam’.
The Mirror has approached TfL for additional comment.
Is TfL’s proposed £18 fee unreasonable? Have your say in the comments section below