Porsche really, really hates London Mayor Ken Livingstone's new £25 congestion charge, launching a full-scale legal attack on it shortly after its adoption.
Well, after the mayor's office responded by suggesting that the German sports car maker should spend more time reducing its own carbon footprint and less time trying to thwart London's noble efforts, it's getting uglier.
According to PistonHeads.com, Porsche is now citing a Transport for London-commissioned report by King's College London, which claims that Livingstone's charge — enacted to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the city — will, in fact, boost CO2 emissions in Greater London by more than 405 million pounds (184,000 metric tons) by 2012, minus the piddling 4.9 million pounds (2200 metric tons) saved in Central London.
Why? Porsche rightly notes that to avoid the fee, motorists will have to avoid the congestion zone itself — and that means more miles driven. Many more.
The mayor (who is busy campaigning for a third term) still insists that the charge, which can range as high as £25 (about $49) for the most egregious offenders (of which Porsche builds a couple), will drastically reduce CO2 emissions in London.
Photo courtesy of Porsche.
