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Porsche threatens legal action over £25 C-charge
David Williams, Motoring Editor19.02.08
Ken Livingstone is facing a full-scale legal challenge to his plan to charge gas-guzzling cars £25 day in congestion charging.
Porsche is writing to the Mayor claiming his new scheme - unveiled last week - is "unjust" and says he must axe it or face a judicial review.
It says that the increase - a 3,025 per cent rise for central London residents driving the biggest polluters who lose their 90 per cent discount - is disproportionate.
And it claims Mr Livingstone's plans will do almost nothing to achieve his stated aim of decreasing vehicle emissions.
Today Porsche Cars GB managing director Andy Goss said Mr Livingstone had 14 days to respond to its letter, sent this week.
He added: "If the Mayor fails to respond to Porsche's letter or refuses to reconsider his plans, Porsche intends formally to submit its application for judicial review at the Royal Courts of Justice."
If the courts give the review the go-ahead, Porsche will challenge Transport for London's right to launch the emissions-related congestion charge - which is due to start in October if Mr Livingstone is re-elected.
Porsche said it would seek a "quashing order" that, if granted, would overturn the new charge.
Mr Goss added: "A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust. Thousands of car owners will be hit by a disproportionate tax which is clear will have a very limited effect on CO2 emissions. Not only is this rise completely unfair to many drivers but it will also damage London basedbusinesses of all sizes, and successful people from across the world will start to think twice about basing themselves here if they think they are going to be used as cash cows for City Hall."
Under the Mayor's plans, which include a 100 per cent discount for cleaner small-engined cars, the congestion charge will rise from £8 to £25 - by 213 per cent - for vehicles that emit more than 225 grammes of CO2 per kilometre.
This not only covers some 4x4s and limousines but also some family cars, sports cars and peoplecarriers. Around 33,000 motorists will have to pay the charge each day. Their weekly congestion charge bill will rise from £40 to £125 a week, or nearly £6,000 a year.
Most of Porsche's range will be hit with the higher charge, inflicting huge damage on sales.
For congestion charge zone residents with bigger cars, the effects are more serious. Because they also lose their discount, their costs will soar from 80p a day to £25 a day.
Porsche says the Mayor's scheme will decrease CO2 emissions by only a tiny percentage while increasing the cost of living in London.
"In the run-up to a hotlycontested mayoral election, the proposal appears motivated by politics rather than sensible policy making,"-said a Porsche spokesman. "As one of the world's leading car manufacturers, Porsche feels it is time to draw a line in the sand on this issue. The Mayor has not thought through the consequences of his policy which will be bad for London at a time when economic confidence is far from certain."
TfL today defended the increase, saying it was in the interest of London. A spokesperson said: "It is unfortunate that a manufacturer of some of the most CO2 polluting and expensive cars in the world should challenge a decision which is in the interests of London and the protection of the environment."
Reader views (8)
Perhaps Mr Cooper would like to elaborate on why he thinks Porsches are "a menace"? Personally, I think they're shining examples of engineering wonderment and teutonic solidity. And, no, I don't own one.
- Sv, London, England
I'm in favour of Ken's idea. Many other politicians talk 'green' but are too afraid of controversy to even try to change things. These large cars (often with only one occupant) don't only guzzle gas - they cause blockages on back streets, take up acres of space when they park, are hard to see around. And they want to pay the same as less selfish drivers! Perhaps Ken will get people thinking about walking buses for kids, electric run-arounds for commuters, big-car hire only for when it's essential.
- Olivia, London
Surely the battle to make transport more environmentally friendly is already won? The remaining issue is how quickly we can move to it and without sacrificing our quality of life. Opposition to Ken's latest tax isn't a "for or against" debate on the environment, its a debate on whether his proposals are fair and effective. I fully support Porsche's stance on this.
Ken's proposals are counter productive. Current London based Band G cars will be sold outside London where they will lead higher mileage lives, manufacturers will have less cash to develop new technology that will lower the emissions of all cars, and all the new band A & B cars will increase emissions and congestion in London.
Lastly, suppose this is successful and all Band G cars cease to exist - do we not think the tax that City Hall has become used to will then need to be raised from the owners of current Band E & F cars?
- Fred, London, UK
Good for Ken. Let us breathe some clean air. These so called sport cars are a menace.
- Robert L Cooper, Hornchurch- Essex- greater London -London-England
It is obvious the Ken's £25 charge is political, hoping to get votes from small car drivers who will be exempt from the charge. He is paying lip-service to the CO2 emissions, in reality, he is hoping to win votes.
- V Tan, London
I totally agree with Porsche. There is far too much emotion in the environmental lobby and not enough considered thinking. We need policies that really attack the main culprits first & then progressively target the remaining polluters. I think that if Porsche win their case then councils such as Richmond will quickly have to rethink their car policies. I have solar heating for which I receive no help from the council & a MG ZT saloon car that I need for family reasons (uncle is registered disabled) that I do less than 8,000 miles a year & am severely penalised for owning. I travel public transport about 75% of the time.
- Mike Dean, Twickenham, Greater London
It is about time someone stood up to this corrupt bully boy and prevent London turning into a mini-Venezuela.
Well done Porsche for doing something that politicians have failed to do and stand up for car drivers, regardless of status.
- Darren, London
TfL today defended the increase, saying it was in the interest of London. A spokesperson said: "It is unfortunate that a manufacturer of some of the most CO2 polluting and expensive cars in the world should challenge a decision which is in the interests of London and the protection of the environment."
If it is in the interest of the people of London, why not ask the people to take a vote on the subject rather than it impose and make them pay fines something we never asked for. If it is in our interest then we should have a say right? It's very obvious Red Ken hasn't thought this through because cost of living is already on the uprise as a result.
And if we think the new LEZ charge will not affect us, think again! The LEZ inevitably will be passed on to the people by businesses that are affected. The AA for example would increase membership rates because of it and several others that i cannot mention too.
- Sola, Basildon, Essex.
