top of page
Search

Uber Increases Central London Fee: What the £2 Congestion Zone Update Means for Drivers

The start of 2026 has brought two major updates for ridehailing drivers in the capital. Alongside Uber raising its per-trip support, there has also been a significant policy shift from Transport for London: electric vehicles are no longer exempt from the London Congestion Charge Zone (CCZ) as of 2 January 2026.

To help drivers adapt to this new cost, Uber has increased the long-standing Central London Fee from £1.50 to £2.00 per eligible trip – a move aimed at keeping drivers on the road and maintaining rider demand.


If you operate in Central London, these changes directly affect your daily earnings. Let’s break it down.


What Exactly Has Changed with Uber?

The Central London Fee is an additional amount paid by riders for any trip that starts, ends, or passes through the CCZ. It has existed for several years to reflect the expense of driving in central London.


From 2 January 2026, that fee is now:

  • £2.00 per eligible trip

  • Paid in full by the rider

  • Passed on entirely to the driver


There are no deductions or admin fees. If you complete a trip in the zone, you receive the full £2 on top of your normal fare.


The New Reality for EV Drivers

For many years, electric vehicles enjoyed free access to the Congestion Charge Zone. That changed this January. Now, all drivers – petrol, hybrid, and electric – must pay to enter the zone.


However, there is some good news.

TfL is offering a way for EV drivers to reduce the impact. If you sign up for Auto Pay using the TfL Pay to Drive in London App, you can access a 25% discount on the daily charge.


This means:

  • Standard daily charge applies to EVs

  • Registering through Auto Pay unlocks a quarter off


For professional hire and private hire drivers completing multiple trips per day, this discount can save hundreds of pounds a year.


If you drive an EV in London, it’s now more important than ever to get registered correctly so you don’t pay more than you need to.



Why Did Uber Increase the Central London Fee?

Uber’s Marketplace team has explained that the increase was carefully calculated. Extensive research was carried out to determine an “optimal increase” that would provide meaningful help to drivers without discouraging riders from booking trips.


A critical factor was ensuring that raising rider costs wouldn’t lead to fewer trip requests. After analysing a range of price points, the team concluded that £2.00 struck the right balance between:

  • Supporting driver profitability

  • Maintaining rider demand

  • Protecting overall trip volumes in the zone


Uber has stated it believes that, considering how many trips drivers complete daily within the CCZ, this increase should “make a difference.”


Final Thoughts

January has introduced a new cost for electric vehicle drivers in London – but it has also brought extra help.


Uber’s decision to raise the Central London Fee to £2.00 shows a clear recognition of the financial pressures drivers face. While 50p more per trip may sound small, for full-time drivers working in the heart of the city it can quickly add up to meaningful additional income.


If you’re driving in Central London in 2026, especially in an EV, the smartest strategy is simple:

  • Take advantage of every eligible Uber trip

  • Get signed up to Auto Pay

  • Secure your 25% discount with TfL


With the right setup, driving green can still mean earning more.

 
 
 
bottom of page