Porsche in C-charge legal fight

Porsche has filed its court bid to quash the proposed congestion charge rise for high polluting vehicles.

The car maker's legal challenge comes as London's mayor, Ken Livingstone, plans to raise the daily charge from £8 to £25 for the most polluting cars.

In its High Court action Porsche described the rise, which comes into effect on 27 October in central London, as "unfair" and an "illegal" action.

Transport for London (TfL) said Porsche's challenge was "unfounded".

Under the plans the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions cars will be required to pay £25 congestion charge whereas cars with the lowest emissions will get a 100% discount on the charge.

'Pointless legal action'

Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche Cars GB, said: "Not only is this new tax on motorists unfair, it is also a disproportionate and illegal use of power by the mayor.

"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."

Michele Dix, managing director of planning for TfL, said: "We have already made clear that we believe Porsche's reasons for objecting to the proposed CO2 Charge are unfounded.

"We believe they should focus their attention on cutting CO2 emissions from the cars they produce, rather than pursuing this pointless legal action which we will vigorously contest when it reaches Judicial Review."

A judge will decide whether the case should have a full hearing.

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