Porsche Take On London Mayor's Â£25 Congestion Charge In The Courts

Porsche 911 in Westminster, London

By Sam Stockley
April 3, 2008 12:24 AM
Filed Under: European, Green, Industry, Porsche

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drivers and other Band G vehicle owners presently eligible for the resident's discount will have that entitlement withdrawn, increasing the daily cost to some drivers by over 3000 percent from the present £8 per day charge.

For more information and to support Porsche's case, log onto porschejudicialreview.co.uk.

Source: Porsche GB

Press Release (Click to expand)

Porsche files judicial review against Mayor’s C-Charge
Continues campaign against mayor’s unfair new tax

Porsche today officially applied for a judicial review challenging the Mayor’s £25 charge congestion charge by issuing its case in the High Court of Justice. Porsche believes that the increase of the congestion charge from £8 a day, or £0.80 for residents, to £25 is both unfair and disproportionate and even TfL forecasts that the charge will increase congestion and damage air quality in London.

Commenting on the filing, 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.”

Porsche filed its challenge in the High Court of Justice Queen’s Bench Division Administrative Court seeking to quash the mayor’s new charge on the grounds that it is both a disproportionate and illegal action by the Mayor. Porsche has asked the court to expedite the judicial proceedings given the short timeframe in which the new charge is scheduled to be imposed.

The filing of the judicial proceedings continues the judicial review process that began in February when Porsche announced its intention by first writing to Mayor Ken Livingstone outlining the grounds of its claim against the charge. The Mayor has so far failed adequately to address any of the issues raised in the Porsche claim. Porsche has now taken the next step in the judicial review process by filing its challenge with the High Court.