Porsche are pressing ahead with their judicial review aimed at quashing London Mayor Ken Livingstone's introduction of emissions-based congestion charging. The proposals, approved in February and due to take effect from October, outline a new £25 (50 USD) tier for entry of high-performance vehicles but also a number of large family cars and SUVs that emit over 225g/km of CO2.

Porsche's objections principally concern the 'disproportionate' new charging tier and the legality of such a measure, with Managing Director of Porsche GB adding: "The Porsche case is about protecting London and Londoners from a new tax that will not only fail to reduce CO2 emissions in central London, but also increase congestion and damage air quality."

Alongside the introduction of an upper tier linked to higher-emitting vehicles, the scheme permits drivers of cars emitting less than 120g/km of CO2 free entry into the zone, expected to increase congestion and negate the positive effects of the congestion charge introduced in 2003. Adding insult to injury, Porsche drivers and other Band G vehicle owners presently eligible for the resident's discount will have that entitlement withdrawn, increasing the daily cost to some drivers by over 3000 percent.

 

Red Ken Livingstone is a giant POS. You guys in New York should be VERY afraid that Michael Bloomberg is a disciple of his...

 

Can't we just do a carbon offset program? For every dollar politicians don't spend, we will give 1 penny towards some CO2 rain forest hoopla. Just a thought.

 

It's real easy - plant more trees... There are SO MANY desolate, unused acres and acres in this country alone, I'm sure the trees would offset the cars.

 

It's more the residents within the city craping on about the smog produced by the cars, which the trees wouldn't take away.

 

EVERY report I've read from the UK mags, blogs, etc. is that it's Red Ken's way of imposing his will. There are plenty of folks (probably some on this forum) who are pissed about this (besides Porsche GB). It's one thing to try to regulate traffic/congestion/smog/whatever, it's another thing to charge $50 to drive into London.

 

It's all about the moolah. He's likely simply doing it to generate revenue from the rich, i.e. Porsche owners. BS.