ELECTRIC vehicle (EV) drivers began paying in the congestion charge in central London for the first time today.

The regular daily congestion charge for non-electrified vehicles also rose for the first time since 2020 — from £15 to £18.

Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan confirmed that EVs would lose their exemption from the fee in November.

It has been reduced to 25 per cent for cars and 50 per cent for vans and lorries and will be cut further from March 4 2030, to 12.5 per cent for cars and 25 per cent for vans and lorries.

Carbon-cutting measures in the futures homes standard have meanwhile been watered down following pressure from housebuilders, according to the Guardian.

The plan reportedly mandates solar panels on nearly all houses but no longer requires them to be fitted with batteries. 

Ministers are due to be publish the England regulations this month.