Citroën finds UK motorists have coughed up over '£182 million' in London Congestion Charges

Motorists were issued with up to £130 million of fines in the 12 months to September 2020, for failing to pay the London Congestion Charge, new research by Citroën UK has revealed. That is significantly more than the £52 million of revenue actually received by Transport for London (TfL) in daily congestion charges over the same period.

The fee, which was increased from £11.50 to £15 from June 2020, alongside an extended seven-days-per-week charging window, is levied on vehicles that do not meet strict exemption criteria – namely emitting less than 75g/km of CO2 and having a minimum 20-mile zero emissions range. Failure to pay the London Congestion Charge results in a fine of £160, reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days.

Citroën UK obtained the TfL data following a Freedom of Information request, which revealed TfL had issued more than 817,000 Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to vehicle owners in the 12 months to September 2020. Over 60% of these PCNs were issued during the four months that followed the seven-days-per-week extension, suggesting many motorists may have been caught out on weekend trips to the Capital.

The £160 fine can be avoided completely if motorists remember to pay the London Congestion Charge within three days of travelling within the specified zone, or are travelling in an exempt vehicle – such as the 100% electric New Citroën ë-C4 compact hatchback, which could save owners hundreds in fines and charges.