| Legal Issues | London Congestion Charge | Porsche Challenge |

Porsche Cars Great Britain has announced its intent to start a judicial review over the proposed increases in London's congestion charge. The proposed £25 charge, which would be levied on all private vehicles in London emitting over 225g/km, is described by Porsche as 'disproportionate'. The increase doesn't just hit those drivers commuting to and from the congestion charge zone, but also residents, those owning cars emitting over 225g/km losing their residents' discount. That means the current 80 pence per day charge for some will rise by 3,025%.

Commenting on the Porsche action, Andy Goss, Managing Director of Porsche Cars GB, said: "A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust. Thousands of car owners driving a huge range of cars will be hit by a disproportionate tax which is clear will have a very limited effect on CO₂ emissions."

Porsche claims the policy is being motivated by politics rather than sensible policy making, citing TfL as admitting that the emissions saving will be minimal, even if the increased charge is implemented.

Porsche will be writing to the Mayor this week. The Mayor will then have 14 days to respond to Porsche. 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.

The Mayor's office posted an official response on its website. It reads: "Porsche's threatened legal action is a double attack on Londoners. First Porsche are trying to deprive Londoners of their democratic right to decide in the Mayoral election on 1 May whether they want gas guzzling and polluting cars to drive in London when there is absolutely no need for them to do so. Second they are trying to impose on all Londoners unnecessary levels of pollution and greenhouse gases by a tiny minority. No one is allowed to throw their rubbish in the street and Porsche should not be allowed to impose gas guzzling polluting cars on Londoners who do not want them."

Given the number of Porsches and other so-called 'gas-guzzlers' on London's streets the Mayor's office might just find that Londoners do in fact want them. It's your vote...

Kyle Fortune - 20 Feb 2008