Request ID: FOI-1074-2425 Date published: 24 July 2024
You asked
I am seeking information on the criteria and process for obtaining an exemption for electric vehicles from congestion charges in London. Specifically, I would like to request the following information:
1. The official guidelines and criteria used by TfL to determine eligibility for the congestion charge exemption for electric vehicles.
2. The number of electric vehicles that have been granted an exemption from congestion charges in London in the past year.
3. Any changes or updates to the exemption criteria for electric vehicles over the past two years.
4. The process for applying for an exemption for an electric vehicle and any supporting documentation required.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-1074-2425
Thank you for your request received on 3 July 2024 asking for information about Congestion Charge exemptions and electric vehicles. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: 1. The official guidelines and criteria used by TfL to determine eligibility for the congestion charge exemption for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are not exempt from the Congestion Charge, rather they are entitled to a 100% discount under the Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD). This is subject to registration with us. Ending the CVD from 25 December 2025 will maintain the effectiveness of the Congestion Charge, which is in place to manage traffic and congestion in the heart of London. The definition of an electric vehicle for the purposes of the discount is set out in the Congestion Charging Scheme Order, which is the legal document outlining how we must run the scheme. A copy is available on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/congestion-charge Annex 2 Article 5 defines an electric vehicle as below: Electric vehicles 1.—(1) Up to and including 24 December 2025 a qualifying electric vehicle is a reduced rate vehicle if the condition specified in sub-paragraph (3) is met. (2) A vehicle is a qualifying electric vehicle if— (a) it is a vehicle for which a nil licence is in force by virtue of its being an exempt vehicle for the purposes of the 1994 Act in accordance with paragraph 20G (electrically propelled vehicles) of Schedule 2 to that Act; or (b) Transport for London is satisfied that the vehicle— (i) operates wholly by means of an electrically powered propulsion system that draws its motive power from either a hydrogen fuel cell or from a battery that can be fully recharged from an external source of electricity; and (ii) has tailpipe CO2 emissions of 0 grams per kilometre. 2. The number of electric vehicles that have been granted an exemption from congestion charges in London in the past year. Only battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are eligible for the cleaner vehicle discount. As of 24 June 2024, 112,318 vehicles are registered for the discount. We cannot report on which vehicles qualified based on being hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and which are electric. Therefore, we do not hold the specific information requested. The CVD has seen a steep rise in vehicles registered for the discount from just over 20,000 at the start of 2019. With around a year and a half until the discount is due to end, it is likely that these numbers will continue to increase significantly and continuing to provide the CVD would undermine the benefits of the Congestion Charge. 3. Any changes or updates to the exemption criteria for electric vehicles over the past two years. There have not been any changes to the discount criteria in the last two years. The removal of the CVD from 25 December 2025 was announced in December 2018. 4. The process for applying for an exemption for an electric vehicle and any supporting documentation required. The process is detailed on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/congestion-charge If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal. Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob Senior FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
