Transport for London’s proposed Congestion Charge hike is under fire from Zipcar and local residents in Putney, who warn it could undermine one of the borough’s most effective alternatives to private car ownership.
Zipcar offers dozens of vehicles across Putney, Roehampton and Southfields, including electric cars and larger vans but says the proposed 20% price increase and new charges for electric vehicles would significantly raise costs, limit fleet size, and reduce access for users.
The service, which includes both fixed-location vehicles and Zipcar Flex (allowing one-way point-to-point trips), is a lifeline for thousands of Londoners who choose not to own a car. From compact city cars to vans for moving house, Zipcar’s flexible offering is especially popular in Putney, where limited parking and traffic congestion make car ownership increasingly unattractive.
What TfL Is Proposing
TfL is consulting on plans to:
- Increase the Congestion Charge from £15 to £18 per day;
- Introduce a new £13.50 daily charge for electric vehicles (currently exempt);
- Allow all charges to rise annually in line with inflation or CPI;
- Apply new rules from January 2026.
If approved, Zipcar says it would have to increase its £5 Congestion Charge fee, likely pushing up rental prices overall.
“We will not be able to simply absorb these costs,” the company said in a message to members. “It may lead to fewer electric vehicles and fewer vehicles overall for you to rent.”
Calls for a Car Club Exemption
Zipcar is urging TfL to maintain the EV exemption for car clubs to support continued electrification as well as introduce a specific reduced-rate Congestion Charge for car club vehicles, recognising their role in reducing car ownership and congestion.
Car sharing in London has become a popular and sustainable alternative to private car ownership, with over 550,000 members now signed up to car clubs like Zipcar. The capital accounts for 87% of all car club users in England and Wales, thanks to its dense population, reliable public transport, and widespread vehicle availability.
Car clubs give people flexible, pay-as-you-go access to vehicles — ideal for occasional use — and have helped reduce congestion and emissions. Each car club vehicle replaces an average of 23.5 privately owned cars, and around 81,000 cars have been taken off UK roads as a result. Members are more likely to walk, cycle, or use public transport, and a growing number are driving electric — with 59% having used an EV and 11% of the fleet now electric.
In Putney, the service is particularly vital for residents who rely on occasional car use without the cost or environmental burden of owning a private vehicle.
Local campaigners say the proposed changes risk undermining London’s broader transport and climate goals. “Zipcar is exactly the kind of transport model we should be encouraging — not penalising,” said one Putney resident. “It reduces car ownership, brings in more electric cars, and offers flexible transport for people who need it only occasionally.”
TfL’s public consultation is open until Monday 11 August 2025. Residents can provide their thoughts at: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/congestion-charge-proposals
