London questions hybrid's environmental friendliness

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U.K. Channel 4 reports that Ken Livingston, the mayor of London, England, is questioning the exemption status of the Lexus RX400h SUV. Owners of the hybrid do not pay the normal eight pound ($14 USD) daily "congestion charge" levied on London drivers by the city.
The reason for this reexamination? The RX400h uses more fuel and releases more carbon dioxide in its non-electric mode than many non-hybrid vehicles according to the article. Also, Jenny Jones, an adviser to Livingstone, states, “…Its size means it causes more congestion and it also poses a danger to pedestrians and cyclists because of the high, unforgiving bonnet.”

[Source: The Times via Channel 4]

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