London's congestion charge and Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls are set to rise annually until 2030, impacting drivers of electric vehicles and private cars alike. The congestion charge for electric vans and lorries is now £9 per day, while battery-powered cars, including minicabs, are charged £13.50 daily. The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel tolls, introduced by Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan in April 2025, cost £1.50 off-peak and £4 at peak times per crossing. These annual increases are expected to align with the annual rise in TfL fares for public transport, including the Tube, bus, and rail network. However, the Ulez clean air scheme, currently costing £12.50 per day, will not see similar annual hikes. The congestion charge is projected to increase by RPI + 1 from 2027, and the tunnel user charge is expected to follow suit. This plan aims to ensure that the levies for driving private cars in London keep pace with the annual increase in public transport fares. Despite this, the Ulez scheme will not experience similar annual increases. The congestion charge and tunnel tolls will generate approximately £320 million annually for TfL, a significant increase from the previous year, due to the removal of the 100% exemption for electric vehicles and the January rate hikes. Electric vans now receive a 50% discount, while electric cars get a 25% discount. Bus fares will remain frozen at £1.75 until July. The actual TfL fares will be determined by Mayor Sir Sadiq, who has the authority to set specific fares rather than imposing a blanket increase. TfL's passenger income in 2024/25 was £5.3 billion, a substantial £1.6 billion less than pre-pandemic projections, highlighting the ongoing financial challenges the organization faces.
