This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7252092.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Porsche challenges C-charge rise Porsche challenges C-charge rise
(about 1 hour later)
Luxury carmaker Porsche is to challenge plans to increase London's congestion charge to £25-a-day for some vehicles.Luxury carmaker Porsche is to challenge plans to increase London's congestion charge to £25-a-day for some vehicles.
The firm said it intended to ask for a judicial review into the price changes, which come into force in October.The firm said it intended to ask for a judicial review into the price changes, which come into force in October.
Porsche says the new rules, which affect the highest polluting vehicles, are "disproportionate" and will not decrease emissions in central London.Porsche says the new rules, which affect the highest polluting vehicles, are "disproportionate" and will not decrease emissions in central London.
Transport for London (TfL) predicts up to 22,000 cars will no longer come into the zone when the new fee comes in.Transport for London (TfL) predicts up to 22,000 cars will no longer come into the zone when the new fee comes in.
Under the plans, which will be introduced on 27 October, cars with the lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will get a 100% discount on the charge.Under the plans, which will be introduced on 27 October, cars with the lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions will get a 100% discount on the charge.
Simply unjustSimply unjust
Most drivers will still pay the £8 road toll for entering the zone which covers parts of central and west London.Most drivers will still pay the £8 road toll for entering the zone which covers parts of central and west London.
Porsche will write to the mayor's office informing him of their intention to seek a judicial review.Porsche will write to the mayor's office informing him of their intention to seek a judicial review.
If it does not receive a satisfactory response, it will apply to the courts for an order to quashing the new charge. If it does not receive a satisfactory response, it will apply to the courts for an order to quash the new charge.
The mayor's advisor on climate change Mark Watts said "No-one needs to drive these really big polluting cars in central London.The mayor's advisor on climate change Mark Watts said "No-one needs to drive these really big polluting cars in central London.
"It's the 'polluter pays' principle - you will be allowed to carry on driving a big polluting car in central London, but what the new charge will mean is you have to pay for the cost of the pollution that you inflict upon everyone else.""It's the 'polluter pays' principle - you will be allowed to carry on driving a big polluting car in central London, but what the new charge will mean is you have to pay for the cost of the pollution that you inflict upon everyone else."
C-CHARGE CHANGES The £25 charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of CO2/km (g/km), as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc Those vehicles getting a 100% discount will emit less than 120g/km.Of cars currently being driven in the congestion charging zone, 17% would be liable for the £25 charge and just 2% for the total discount The mayor has said: "There will be losers but overall we will all gain."C-CHARGE CHANGES The £25 charge will apply to vehicles emitting more than 225 grams of CO2/km (g/km), as well as those registered before March 2001 which have engines larger than 3,000cc Those vehicles getting a 100% discount will emit less than 120g/km.Of cars currently being driven in the congestion charging zone, 17% would be liable for the £25 charge and just 2% for the total discount The mayor has said: "There will be losers but overall we will all gain."
But Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche GB, said: "A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust.But Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche GB, said: "A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust.
"Thousands of car owners will be hit by a disproportionate tax which clearly will have a very limited effect on CO2 emissions.""Thousands of car owners will be hit by a disproportionate tax which clearly will have a very limited effect on CO2 emissions."
Porsche vehicles which would be affected by the new charge include the Cayenne, which can be bought with a 4.8-litre engine at a cost of around £50,000, and the 911 model, which has an engine size of up to 3.8 litres and has a price tag of up to £80,000.Porsche vehicles which would be affected by the new charge include the Cayenne, which can be bought with a 4.8-litre engine at a cost of around £50,000, and the 911 model, which has an engine size of up to 3.8 litres and has a price tag of up to £80,000.
Transport for London (TfL) estimates about 33,000 vehicles will now fall into the £25 charge sector to drive into London each day.Transport for London (TfL) estimates about 33,000 vehicles will now fall into the £25 charge sector to drive into London each day.
It predicts about two-thirds of these will no longer come into the charge zone once the new fee is introduced.It predicts about two-thirds of these will no longer come into the charge zone once the new fee is introduced.
The congestion charge was initially introduced in February 2003 and covered just central London, with the daily charge set at £5.The congestion charge was initially introduced in February 2003 and covered just central London, with the daily charge set at £5.
Since then the charge has gone up to £8 a day and a western extension, incorporating such areas as Kensington and Chelsea, has been added.Since then the charge has gone up to £8 a day and a western extension, incorporating such areas as Kensington and Chelsea, has been added.
According to TfL, there are 70,000 fewer vehicles in the charging zone, every day, in the five years since the fee was introduced.According to TfL, there are 70,000 fewer vehicles in the charging zone, every day, in the five years since the fee was introduced.