Sadiq Khan has launched his latest war on drivers, and motorists think the move is completely crazy. Just years after Mr Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), the mayor is at it again with another cash grab, with petrol and diesel drivers at the centre of the storm.
The London Mayor has confirmed that Congestion Charge fees will rise to £18 from January 2, 2026, meaning petrol and diesel drivers will face price hikes in just weeks. That's a £3 increase on the current £165 Congestion fee, equivalent to an additional £21 per week for those who use their cars every day, or around £90 per month.
That’s not all; with electric cars, you'll pay the Congestion Charge fees for the first time, incurring a £13.50 daily bill for EV drivers. The Mayor claims that retaining the current rates would result in around 2,200 more vehicles in London's congestion charging zone on weekdays from next year.
Cutting traffic is certainly one aim, but it's hard to ignore the financial rewards. AutoExpress claims the move could generate between £80 million and £91 million in extra revenue each year, which is a staggering £415 to £455 million over five years.
However, it’s just the latest in a slew of motoring decisions that have hit motorists in the capital hardest in recent years. ULEZ rises were the biggest blow, but higher parking fines and pedestrianisation plans have left drivers feeling like an afterthought.
A new poll from AutoExpress shows that road users have had quite enough, with many looking set to give up their licences altogether. 81% of drivers claimed that the congestion increased to £18 a day is unfair, with 85% believing motorists are now being unfairly targeted by local authority transport policies.
47% of those polled said rising tolls and charges have already made them avoid certain areas or routes, with 14% now admitting they drive less than they used to.
The confusing part of the message appears to be the investment in road infrastructure projects, while simultaneously criticising those who will actually use them. Just last year, Transport for London (TfL) played a vital role in paving the way for the new Silvertown Tunnel, a new route connecting North and South, which opened on time in April 2024.
If motorists really are saying ‘enough is enough’ and considering ditching their cars once and for all, could Khan’s new tunnel become a white elephant long before it's time?
