Mayor of London bashed for new congestion charge

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, is being condemned by drivers' associations, residents, car companies and local business for the new plans for London's congestion charge, the £25 charge for drivers of cars with CO₂ emissions over 225g/km (road tax band G). For some drivers, this could add up to about £6,000 per year.

One criticism came from Porsche, which announced that it was considering taking the mayor to a judicial review to challenge the plans because all Porsche models (but two) will have to pay the highest charge. Two of London's boroughs, Kensington and Chelsea, are also considering going to court against Livingston for "exceeding" his attributions. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has its own reasons to take aim at the C-Charge. They claim that the £25 charge "will not significantly cut CO₂ emissions from ultra sports cars," but will instead affect families with people carriers or people driving cars built before 1998 with engines of more than 3 liters.

Related:

• Porsche officially starts legal process against London's congestion charge
• Congestion charge up for gas guzzlers: 25 quid for a ride in Central London
• Toyota Aygo, Yaris and Prius exempt from revised London Congestion Charge
• Electric vehicle drivers get some not-so-good news in London

[Source: Times]