In the UK, there are certain areas where having an Electric Vehicle can be a great benefit and that is in Ultra Low Emission Zones, Clean Air Zones and in Congestion Zones! The aims of these zones are to reduce the amount of polluting vehicles driving through the inner-city areas to keep the air-pollution and congestion down by charging people who have older diesel cars and some petrol cars for traveling through the city - good news, your EV will likely not need to pay to be in these zones! The reason why EV’s aren’t charged for using these areas is because there are no tailpipe emissions from them, unlike with older diesel cars emitting Nitrogen Oxide and particulates, as well as petrol cars emitting Carbon Dioxide.
There are multiple cities in the UK that already enforce these and there are more making the decision to implement similar zones to their inner-city in the near future. It is worth double-checking with your local council to ensure that your EV is definitely exempt from being charged in these zones.
London ULEZ
London expanded their ULEZ zone in August 2023 to cover a wider area and covers most areas inside the M25, coming into effect over most of London. Non-EVs will typically be charged daily for travel within the ULEZ, however this is not the case for EVs. The ULEZ operates 24/7 around the year, with Christmas day being exempt from this!
You can check if your car is exempt from ULEZ fees here.
London Congestion Zone
The London Congestion Zone is different to the ULEZ and covers a far smaller area of mostly the internal areas of London. Incepted in 2003 the aim of the zone is similar to the ULEZ, in that it aims to reduce traffic and air-pollution in the inner-city. This is a £15 daily charge to drive through the Congestion Zone between 07:00-18:00 Mon-Fri and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun (there are no charges between Christmas day and New Year’s day.)
The good news is that for an annual fee of £10 per EV, you can be exempt from the Congestion Charge with TfL! You can apply for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount here. If you drive through the Congestion Zone without being set up for the discount, you may be charged the normal daily rate, even if you are in an EV!
While this is a discount that EV owners can currently benefit from, be aware that from 25th December 2025, a Congestion Charge will apply even to EVs, unless they are eligible for another discount.
Clean Air Zones (CAZ)
You can check here if your EV is eligible for nationwide exemption from Clean Air Zones in the listed cities. If you have nationwide exemption, you will not need to pay a fee or register your EV!
Bath
Birmingham
Bradford
Bristol
Portsmouth
Sheffield
Tyneside - Newcastle and Gateshead
Dartford Crossing Charge (Dart Charge)
EVs will be charged for use of the Dartford Crossing, as the charge is not to related to air-pollution. If you use the Dartford Crossing between 06:00-22:00, you will be charged for this and you can pay or register for an account here.
M6 Toll
EVs will be charged for use of the M6 toll. Anytime you use the M6 Toll, you will be charged. You can either pay the fee directly at the toll by card (no phone payments or cash) or you can create an account here to register for a seamless passage through or if you are a regular traveller!
You can check pricing for your EV charge here.