Porsche continue legal action against the Lord Mayor of London

This review was instigated in February by Porsche GB when they wrote to Mayor of London Independent Ken Livingstone. With his responses so far unsatisfactory Porsche have now pressed on with their legal challenge.

This increase would follow the latest tax imposed on London motoring, the Low emission zone. This zone covers 610 sq miles (1,580 sq Km). A network of cameras automatically reads trucks number license plates and they are cross checked against a list of vehicles that meet emission standards. If the vehicle does not then the owner is sent a £200 ($400) charge, the fine for non-payment: £1000 ($2000). At the moment this applies for vehicles over 12 tonnes. However by 2010 some vans and smaller trucks will be included.

For the moment there are no plans to include cars and motorcycles.

Truck made after October 2001 comply automatically with current particulate emission laws in the EU and older vehicles can be adapted.

Transport for London have spotted 120,000 trucks over 12 tonnes inside the zone in six months of monitoring last year. They believe 10% would not meet the required standards

Low emission zones are already planned or in operation in 70 towns and cities in eight European countries including Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.

All lorries made after October 2001 automatically comply with the EU standards of particulate emissions of 0.05g per km. Older vehicles can be adapted to comply with the rules.

TfL said it had identified 120,000 lorries of over 12 tonnes inside the zone during six months of monitoring last year and estimates that about 10% do not meet EU standards.

Low emission zones are already planned or in operation in 70 towns and cities in eight European countries including Norway, the Netherlands and Germany.