Legal action planned for C-Charge

This week the Mayor will receive a letter from the German manufacturer requesting a change of heart, giving Livingstone 14 days to reconsider his policy and respond. If he refuses, Porsche will then apply for a judicial review at the Royal Courts of Justice.

Almost all of the sports car maker’s current line up produces more than 225g/km of CO2 – the boundary for the higher charge - which could have a massive impact on sales in and around the capital. Porsche believes that the higher charge will also have an effect on the economy by being a deterrent to businesses and potential wealthy inhabitants.

The managing director of Porsche GB, Andy Goss, explained: “A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust. Thousands of car owners driving a huge range of cars will be hit by a disproportionate tax which is clear will have a very limited effect on CO2 emissions.”

In an official statement, the German firm states: “Porsche believes the proposed increase in the congestion charge for Band G cars is unfair, that the increase – 3025% for Central London residents - is ‘disproportionate’ and that it will do nothing to achieve the stated aim of decreasing emissions in central London.”

The price hike is set to come into effect in October this year, when discounts for drivers of high emission vehicles living within the designated zone will also be scrapped.