TfL’s proposal to phase out the 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount for small commercial EVs and raise the standard Congestion Charge has drawn criticism from City Hall and business groups, who warn higher charges risk pushing tradespeople back to petrol or diesel and could undermine van electrification.
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TfL’s plan to wind down the full Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) for electric vans and other small-business vehicles is drawing criticism from a senior London Assembly member who warns the move could be counterproductive and slow progress away from diesel and petrol. Elly Baker, Labour’s transport spokesperson at City Hall, told TfL in a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service that tradespeople “will use the Congestion Charge zone whatever the level of charge,” and that cutting the discount risks pushing small firms back to fossil-fuel vehicles.
TfL’s consultation, published in a press release on 27 May 2025, outlines a timetable to end the existing 100% CVD on 25 December 2025 and to introduce a phased replacement from 2 January 2026. Under the proposals, the standard Congestion Charge would rise from £15 to £18, while electric cars would receive a 25% Auto Pay discount, and larger electric vans and HGVs would receive a 50% Auto Pay discount from January, with those discounts set to halve again in March 2030. The consultation material and the Have Your Say hub explain the mechanics of the phased change and invite responses during the consultation period running to August 2025.
TfL argues the changes are designed to keep London moving as the number of electric vehicles in central London rises and the current exemption reduces the charge’s effectiveness in tackling congestion. The authority’s modelling, published alongside the proposals, suggests that without change an additional roughly 2,200 vehicles would enter the Congestion Charge Zone on an average weekday—a central plank of TfL’s rationale for tightening discounts and increasing the standard charge.
Those modelling assumptions and objectives have met resistance from business groups and local politicians. In her letter Ms Baker warned that tradespeople such as electricians and plumbers still need regular access to the zone and that, faced with increased operating costs, “existing small businesses [may] consider returning to petrol or diesel vehicles on a cost basis.” The Evening Standard and other local reporting have carried similar warnings that cutting the discount for commercial EVs would create a financial barrier to electrification for small operators.
The pushback is broader than City Hall. More than 40 firms, including national operators, have told the Mayor they oppose removing the exemption, saying that it would saddle companies already invested in electric fleets with significant new costs and could undermine the pace of van electrification. Campaigners and businesses have also raised practical concerns about affordability, the availability of rapid charging infrastructure, and the potential disproportionate impact on small operators who cannot easily absorb recurring zone charges.
For some sole traders and small firms the sums are concrete: with the proposed discounts, driving an electric van into central London would no longer be free — a 50% discount on an £18 charge means a £9 fee per entry under the Auto Pay proposals. TfL’s documents also note a future tightening of resident discounts from March 2027 and the intention to reduce the cleaner vehicle discounts further in 2030, signaling a longer‑term move to re‑balance congestion management against emissions incentives.
The consultation closes in August 2025 and TfL has invited views before deciding whether to implement the proposals. The dispute exposes a familiar policy trade‑off: how to manage increasing traffic and keep central London moving while not disincentivising the electrification of commercial fleets that many policymakers and industry bodies see as vital to cutting local air pollution. TfL emphasizes the congestion case for change; trade groups and politicians emphasize the economic realities of small businesses already investing in a greener fleet — and say that, in practice, many will need to enter the zone whatever the price.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release from Transport for London (TfL) dated 27 May 2025, outlining proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, including the end of the 100% Cleaner Vehicle Discount (CVD) for electric vehicles (EVs) and a rise in the daily charge from £15 to £18. ([tfl.gov.uk](https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2025/may/changes-proposed-to-the-congestion-charge-to-keep-london-moving?utm_source=openai)) The report also references a letter from Elly Baker, Labour’s transport spokesperson at City Hall, expressing concerns about the impact on small businesses. This letter was reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service and is consistent with the timeline of the TfL press release. The content appears to be original and not recycled from other sources. The inclusion of updated data, such as the proposed charge increase and the specific dates for the end of the CVD, suggests a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quote from Elly Baker, ‘businesses will use the Congestion Charge zone whatever the level of charge,’ matches the wording found in the Local Democracy Reporting Service’s coverage of her letter. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tfl-congestion-charge-electric-vehicles-b1243074.html?utm_source=openai)) No earlier usage of this exact quote was found, indicating it is likely original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Highways News, a specialised publication focusing on highways and transport technology sectors. While it is not as widely recognised as major outlets like the BBC or Reuters, it appears to be a legitimate source within its niche. The report references official documents from TfL and includes direct quotes from Elly Baker, which adds credibility. However, the reliance on a single source for the letter from Elly Baker introduces some uncertainty.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, including the end of the 100% CVD for EVs and the increase in the daily charge to £18, are consistent with TfL’s official press release from 27 May 2025. ([tfl.gov.uk](https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2025/may/changes-proposed-to-the-congestion-charge-to-keep-london-moving?utm_source=openai)) The concerns raised by Elly Baker about the impact on small businesses align with the broader discussions reported by other outlets, such as the Evening Standard. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tfl-congestion-charge-electric-vehicles-b1243074.html?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s claims are plausible and supported by multiple sources.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents original content based on recent developments regarding TfL’s proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, including the end of the 100% CVD for EVs and the increase in the daily charge to £18. The direct quote from Elly Baker matches her letter as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The source, Highways News, is a specialised publication within its niche, and the information aligns with official TfL communications and other reputable outlets. Therefore, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.
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