Guide to car parking in London for electric vehicles

Driving an electric vehicle currently comes with numerous advantages — exemption from congestion and ULEZ charges, and 100% discounted road tax, although some of these benefits are soon coming to an end, with EV drivers to be required to pay the congestion charge from December 25, 2025, and the vehicle tax concession to be abolished from April 1, 2025.

The news is better EV and low-emission vehicle drivers when it comes to parking in the capital. If you drive a zero or low-emission car, you will be entitled to a discounted resident parking permit in certain London boroughs. Some boroughs even offer free permits for EV drivers. This is a great prospect for rideshare drivers looking to reduce their costs.

Here is everything you need to know about the discounted EV parking permits in London boroughs. 

Do electric cars have to pay for car parking in London? 

There isn’t a general rule for EV parking in London. Each borough has its own rules, but most do offer discounted resident parking permits. Costs for an annual resident EV parking permit in London can range between £6.50 and £230, whilst the same annual parking permits for high-polluting cars can be over £1000.  

For example, in the North London borough of Islington, which is the most expensive borough in London for parking permits, an annual parking permit for an EV will set you back between £100 and £230 depending on the size of your EV battery, whereas an annual permit for a petrol vehicle can cost up to £800, depending on the size of your engine, and up to a whopping £1020 for a permit for a diesel vehicle, depending on vehicle size and emissions.

There are currently only four boroughs across London that don’t offer discounted parking for EVs — Kingston upon Thames (South-West London), Bexley, Bromley (both South London), and Havering (East London).

Parking bays 

Some bays are designated for electric vehicles and may be marked as such. These bays may have different operating hours for charging and parking. For example, some bays may be for charging from 9 AM–7 PM and for residents with a valid permit from 7 PM-9 AM.  

Which London boroughs offer free parking for electric cars? 

Some boroughs provide free EV parking permits for their residents — Barking and Dagenham, Hammersmith and Fulham, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Newham, Redbridge, Westminster and Richmond Upon Thames.

You may also find free parking on private property, such as businesses, retail premises, and public charging points.

Which London boroughs offer discounted parking for electric cars? 

To get an idea of how much money you can save on parking by switching to an EV, we’ve gathered all the discounts you can benefit from as an EV driver, depending on the borough. We compared them to how much you would pay for the same parking permit if you drive a high-polluting car. 

*Most of these fares are applicable for one vehicle per person. The fares increase for each additional vehicle registered on the same person.

Do you have to pay for parking when charging your electric car? 

If you charge your car on a residential street without having a parking permit, you’ll most likely need to pay for the parking spot too – the road signs will confirm this. Some parking spots might allow you to stay free of charge for as long as it takes to recharge your battery, whilst others have time limits.  

Each charging network has its own rules when it comes to parking whilst charging your EV, so it’s best to check that beforehand. Most EV charging networks have dedicated apps where you can check the charging stations’ availability, fares and special requirements.  

Did you know? Most modern charging networks offer mobile apps that help you locate nearby charge points. Some older stations may require an RFID card (similar to a contactless debit card) to initiate charging, which can be easily ordered online. For charge points with app functionality, you can typically pay for your session directly through the app.

Best boroughs for EV parking in London

Boroughs like Westminster, Hounslow, and Barking & Dagenham stand out as top choices for EV drivers. These areas offer free parking permits for electric vehicles, significantly reducing operational costs for rideshare drivers. Additionally, Westminster provides easy access to a range of EV charging points and amenities. Hounslow’s strong incentives and accessibility to key routes also make it appealing.

Worst boroughs for EV parking

Kingston upon Thames, Bromley, and Havering rank among the least favorable for EV parking due to their lack of discounted or free parking permits for electric cars. These boroughs still treat EVs similarly to traditional vehicles, reducing the financial benefits typically associated with driving electric vehicles. For rideshare drivers and commuters, this makes them less attractive options compared to more progressive boroughs.

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