London's congestion charge is set to increase by 20% from January, with electric vehicle drivers facing a new fee structure. The change means that those driving hybrid and full-electric cars will now pay £13.50 per day, a reduction from the current discount of 25%. However, it also marks a shift away from making EVs exempt from the charge, as vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will still be required to pay a reduced rate of £9.
The move is set to come into effect in January, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan citing the need for the congestion charge to stay "fit for purpose". He argued that if left unchanged, an additional 2,200 vehicles would be driving through the zone on an average weekday, contributing to traffic congestion and pollution. However, motoring groups have expressed opposition to the changes, with some suggesting they could make electric vehicles less attractive.
Khan has assured that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, including a 90% discount for all residents of the zone from March 2027. Car clubs and minicab drivers will also be exempt from EV charges.
Critics argue that the changes could penalise those who have already made the switch to electric vehicles, while Labour's transport spokesperson Elly Baker warned that it would "make it harder for people to go green". The AA president, Edmund King, has also called for the decision to be reversed, citing concerns over air quality in London.
The move is the latest development in the UK's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. With an estimated six times as many electric vehicles now registered to drive through the zone compared to 2019, the changes have sparked debate about the role of EVs in tackling urban pollution.
The move is set to come into effect in January, with London Mayor Sadiq Khan citing the need for the congestion charge to stay "fit for purpose". He argued that if left unchanged, an additional 2,200 vehicles would be driving through the zone on an average weekday, contributing to traffic congestion and pollution. However, motoring groups have expressed opposition to the changes, with some suggesting they could make electric vehicles less attractive.
Khan has assured that substantial incentives will remain in place for Londoners who switch to cleaner vehicles, including a 90% discount for all residents of the zone from March 2027. Car clubs and minicab drivers will also be exempt from EV charges.
Critics argue that the changes could penalise those who have already made the switch to electric vehicles, while Labour's transport spokesperson Elly Baker warned that it would "make it harder for people to go green". The AA president, Edmund King, has also called for the decision to be reversed, citing concerns over air quality in London.
The move is the latest development in the UK's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. With an estimated six times as many electric vehicles now registered to drive through the zone compared to 2019, the changes have sparked debate about the role of EVs in tackling urban pollution.
. The idea of incentivizing people to switch to electric or hybrid cars is genius! £13.50 might seem like a lot, but considering the benefits it brings (like reduced air pollution) - it's worth every penny 
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. It's all about finding that balance between reducing congestion and encouraging sustainable transportation. I hope the London Mayor has thought through the impact on those who've already made the switch to EVs... they might feel a bit stung 
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. And let's be real, electric vehicles are the way forward - we need to reduce our carbon footprint and tackle urban pollution ASAP 
! The UK is leading the charge (pun intended) on this front, and I'm all for it 
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It just doesn't add up.
, like what's going on with London's congestion charge?! They're increasing it by 20% and making EV drivers pay more, but also reducing the discount for hybrid cars 
And don't even get me started on vans and HGVs still paying less than EVs 
. I mean, I get it that traffic congestion is a big deal, but can't we just find other ways to solve the problem? 
, in 2022, there were over 1.3 million registered vehicles driving through London's congestion charge zone 
. And with an estimated 6 times more EVs on the road now compared to 2019 
️, I think we can safely say that EVs are becoming a big part of the solution 
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. And it's not just the drivers, either - car clubs and minicab drivers will also be affected 
. Let's just hope that the incentives for switching to cleaner vehicles will be enough to offset the negative impact of this change 
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with different slices. Each slice represents a type of vehicle: hybrid, full-electric, van, HGV... Now, some of these slices are getting bigger or smaller. The government is trying to keep the whole pie healthy, but it's a tricky balance. Some people think EVs are too good to pay for the congestion charge (
. The government is trying to reduce traffic and pollution in London. We need to think carefully about how to achieve this goal without hurting anyone.
. What do you think? Should EVs be charged differently in the congestion charge? 
. I get that they wanna make EVs pay their way, but do they really need to raise the rate so much? It's like, we're already making an effort to reduce emissions here...can't we just be more efficient about it? 
And what about all the people who've already switched to cleaner vehicles? Are they gonna get stuck with this new rate forever? It seems kinda harsh...
! I just got a new hybrid car and was thinking of getting an electric one, but now it seems like it's gonna cost me more? 
theyre already makin life hard for us with these ev incentives and now its like theyre goin back on that 
electric vehicles r supposed to be the future of transport, not somethin we gotta pay extra for just cuz we want to help reduce pollution