Do I Need to Pay the London Emission Charge?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning a trip to London, you may be wondering if you need to pay the London Emission Charge. The answer is, it depends on your vehicle and the emissions it produces.

The London Emission Charge, also known as the T-Charge, was introduced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in October 2017. Its purpose is to reduce emissions in central London and improve air quality. The charge applies to older, more polluting vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards.

If your vehicle does not meet the minimum emissions standards, you will need to pay the charge of £12.50 per day in addition to the Congestion Charge, which is £15 per day. This means that if you drive into central London between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays, you will need to pay a total of £27.50 per day.

So how do you know if your vehicle meets the emissions standards? There are two ways to check:

1. Check your vehicle registration certificate (V5C). If your vehicle meets Euro 4 emission standards or higher, then you do not need to pay the charge.

2. Use Transport for London’s online vehicle checker tool. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and it will tell you if you need to pay the charge.

It’s worth noting that some vehicles are exempt from the charge, including electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles with a minimum 20-mile zero-emission range, and disabled passenger vehicles that are exempt from vehicle tax.

If you do need to pay the London Emission Charge, there are several ways to do so:

1. Pay online in advance or on the same day of travel using TfL’s website or app. 2. Set up an Auto Pay account with TfL for automatic payments.

3. Pay by phone using TfL’s automated system. 4. Pay at a retail location displaying the Payzone sign.

It’s important to note that if you do not pay the charge, you will be fined £160 (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days).

In conclusion, if you’re planning a trip to London and driving a vehicle that does not meet Euro 4 emissions standards, you will need to pay the London Emission Charge. It’s easy to check if your vehicle is exempt or not, and there are several ways to pay the charge. By doing so, you’ll be doing your part in reducing emissions and improving air quality in central London.