This includes most combustion-engined cars on the road, including hybrids. Only zero-emission cars have been exempt from the Congestion Charge, such as electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. However, from December 2025, even drivers of zero-emission vehicles will be required to pay the congestion charge.
How do I know if my car is exempt from congestion charge?
If you already have an account, sign in to Pay to drive in London to check if a discount or exemption applies to your vehicle – and what charges you would need to pay.
This tool checks for:
- Congestion Charge.
- Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
- Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
- Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and HGV Safety Permit.
What cars are exempt from the Low Emission Zone?
Petrol cars less than 12 years old
Diesel cars typically produce far more of these compounds than petrol cars, which is why drivers of most petrol cars will not have to pay to enter the zones.
Which smart cars are exempt from congestion charge?
Congestion Charge exempt
- CARVER S+ 6 kW Auto. OTR: £12,000 Not eligible for grant.
- RENAULT Twizy Expression 13kW Auto. OTR: £10,995 +£45.00/mth battery Not eligible for grant.
- SKODA CITIGOe iV SE 61kW Auto. OTR: £20,455 Not eligible for grant.
- VW e-up! 61kW Auto.
- SMART EQ fortwo coupe passion advanced 60kW Auto.
Is hybrid car exempt from congestion charge?
In short, yes. As of January 2022, all full electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entirely exempt from congestion charge.
How old does a car have to be to be exempt from Congestion Charge?
Historic vehicles
This date moves forward on a 40-year rolling system. For example, when the ULEZ launched in April 2019, vehicles built before 1979 were eligible to apply for historic vehicle tax class. All vehicles that have a historic vehicle tax class will be exempt from the ULEZ.
Which cars will be charged in clean air zone?
Exemptions
- a vehicle that’s ultra low emission.
- a disabled passenger tax class vehicle.
- a disabled tax class vehicle.
- a military vehicle.
- a historic vehicle.
- a vehicle retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme ( CVRAS )
- certain types of agricultural vehicles.
What vehicles are low emission vehicles?
10 of the best low emission cars for 2021
- 1 Nissan LEAF. Perhaps what many people think of when they think ‘electric car,’ the Nissan Leaf continues to deliver.
- 2 Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback.
- 3 Smart Forfour Hatchback.
- 4 Mazda MX-30.
- 5 Mini Electric Hatchback.
- 6 Volkswagen ID.
- 7 BMW i3.
- 8 Audi Q4 e-tron Estate.
How do I know if my vehicle is ULEZ compliant?
You can find out for free if your vehicle is ULEZ compliant by entering your registration plate at https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/ULEZ-Check above and getting one of our free checks. If your vehicle is ULEZ compliant, you will not have to pay a charge if you drive within the ULEZ zone.
Does my car qualify for ULEZ?
Cars that are free to drive in the ULEZ must be Euro 6 (diesel) or Euro 4 (petrol) compliant. That means low emission and zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars will not be charged. Hybrid cars aren’t automatically exempt, as some models made before 2015 may not be ULEZ compliant.
Do electric cars have to pay the Congestion Charge?
Congestion Charge: do EVs need to pay? The good news for EV drivers is that battery electric cars – and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles – are exempt from the London Congestion Charge via the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.
Are diesel cars exempt from Congestion Charge?
In order to avoid the charge, diesel vehicles must meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards, with petrol vehicles needing to meet at least Euro 4 – an older emissions standard.
Is a Ford Fiesta exempt from Congestion Charge?
5. Ford Fiesta. The Ford Fiesta is great to drive, with sharp dynamics, yet in Econetic form it can manage 76.3 mpg, and its 98 g/km CO2 ensures that it’s exempt from the payment of the Congestion Charge .
Are Toyota hybrids exempt from congestion charge?
Is my Toyota eligible for the London Congestion Charge? Almost all Toyota models sold in the UK are eligible to pay the charge.
Do hybrids count as clean air?
Clean-Air Vehicle means either one of the following types of vehicles: (1) Zero Emission Electric; (2) Plug in Hybrid; (3) other leading technology vehicles that are eligible to receive a Green or White State of California Carpool lane sticker for a single occupancy vehicle; or (4) any vehicle to which the City of San
What vehicles are not exempt?
Trucks, lorries and other large good vehicles are not exempt and will still require an annual MOT. The same rules apply to kit cars and self-built vehicles.
Is my car Euro 6 compliant?
Any cars registered after September 2015, when Euro 6 became mandatory, will be Euro 6 compliant as standard. Many cars manufactured before that date will also be compliant with Euro 6 regulations but older models may only be Euro 5 compliant.
Are old cars allowed into London?
Though Transport for London “would prefer you use a vehicle that meets the new emissions standards” as outlined above, some older, more polluting cars are also exempt from the ULEZ charges under very specific circumstances. Drivers of cars more than 40 years old can apply for an exemption from the ULEZ.
What age car is exempt from Clean Air Zone?
Military and historic vehicles which pass through the Clean Air Zone will be automatically exempt from any charges. An historic vehicle must have been built or first registered 40 years ago in order to be eligible.
How do I know if I need to pay the clean air charge?
Check your vehicle online to see if you’ll need to pay to drive in the Clean Air Zone. You’ll need to know your number plate. There are cameras inside the Clean Air Zone to spot vehicles that need to pay. You might be able to apply for a temporary exemption permit if you live or work in the Clean Air Zone.
Will my car get charged in Clean Air Zone?
If you drive a car or motorbike you do not need to pay the charge, unless it is a taxi or private hire vehicle. Daily charges apply 24 hours a day (midnight to midnight), 7 days a week, all year round when entering or driving in Bath’s Clean Air Zone.