FOI request detail

Congestion Charge PCNs to Tesla Vehicles

Request ID: FOI-1338-2021
Date published: 03 November 2020

You asked

Battery EVs receive a 100% discount to the congestion charge in London. In typical TFL fashion this is not applied automatically to applicable vehicles and owners must apply in a time consuming form, wait for a response, and then pay a £10 a year fee per vehicle (despite the vehicle receiving a '100%' discount). I would like to request the number of congestion charge PCNs given to vehicles with the 'Make' listed as Tesla for each of the last three years? This will provide information on the scale of TFL's overcharging.

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-1338-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 13 October 2020.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold the information you require. You asked:

I would like to request the number of congestion charge PCNs given to vehicles with the 'Make' listed as Tesla for each of the last three years? This will provide information on the scale of TFL's overcharging.

Electric vehicles are entitled to a 100% discount from the Congestion Charge as part of the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. However, this is subject to registration with us. The discount is open to various low emission vehicles and the registration process is crucial to allow us to verify that the vehicle meets the criteria. We are unable to verify this information for all the low emission vehicle types automatically, and this is why we ask for evidence to confirm entitlement.

The discount and registration process is a legal requirement, outlined in the Congestion Charging Scheme Order. A copy of the Scheme Order, which outlines how we must run the scheme, is available on our website: http://content.tfl.gov.uk/consolidated-scheme-order-june-2020.pdf

When we issue a penalty charge notice (PCN) we obtain the vehicle make and model from the DVLA. The table below shows the number of penalties issued where the make has been listed as Tesla.  

2017

1127

2018

1134

2019

2154

2020 (to 11 October)

4945

If a motorist receives a penalty which they believe has been incorrectly issued, they can challenge it by submitting a representation to us. When dealing with representations we will act fairly and reasonably and judge each case on its individual merits. When we are advised that a penalty has been issued to a vehicle which is entitled to a 100% discount we will advise the motorist of the registration process and consider whether to exercise discretion over the charge incurred.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

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 as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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