The Worst Traffic In America? It's Not Los Angeles

Majority of Londoners support £25 emissions charge

 
11 1,775 views Mar 21, 2008

Majority of Londoners support £25 emissions charge

Majority of Londoners support £25 emissions charge

Enlarge Photo
In the latest round of the battle between London Mayor Ken Livingstone and Porsche over the UK capital’s new congestion charge, a survey has found that most of the city’s residents are in favor of the scheme. According to the results, 61% of Londoners support the updated scheme, which charges owners of high-emissions vehicles £25 ($51) for driving through certain parts of the city.

The survey, which polled 1,041 residents from the age of 16 onwards, also revealed that close to 70% think the charges are good for the city. The plans, due to come into force on October 27, will enable the government to charge £25 for all cars that emit over 225g/km of carbon dioxide, while cars that give off less than 120g/km will be exempt.

Key backer of the scheme, Ken Livingstone, was quick to boast about the new results. He was accused recently by Porsche of making false claims about the levels of support for the scheme when he couldn’t reveal details of a previous survey he referenced back in December.

Despite the results of the latest survey, Porsche will continue with its campaign against the scheme because it fears it will hurt sales of its Cayenne SUV. The carmaker is now seeking a judicial review of the congestion charge and has argued that it is disproportionate because it would make a “negligible” impact on carbon dioxide emissions.



Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (11)

  1. By Gus Posted: 3/21/2008 9:26am PDT

    Sure, everyone that has a puny car wants to stick it to the rich.

    Until the rules change again to include them...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By Autuque Posted: 3/21/2008 10:51am PDT

    Survey the people who has a car that emit over 225g/kg of carbon dioxide. Let's see the result then.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Gus Posted: 3/21/2008 11:26am PDT

    My guess is exactly 61% of the people who responded to the survey either drive a minicar or are tired of looking out of the crowded bus windows at the people driving their Cayennes...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Raptor Posted: 3/21/2008 11:46am PDT

    Yeah, CO2 is a deadly poison, be aware of it, it's evil and it's warming our earth!

    Idiots. If you can't afford Cayennes, work harder/invent something/sell your kidney or shut the f**c up!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By HECTOR Posted: 3/21/2008 7:16pm PDT

    You get the government you deserve & vote for. Here comes Red Ken for another term.

    Am I the only one beginning to suspect that London is the San Francisco of England?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By Jezza Posted: 3/21/2008 8:49pm PDT

    "Am I the only one beginning to suspect that London is the San Francisco of England?"

    What do they do in San Fran?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By Gus Posted: 3/22/2008 10:29am PDT

    They are strict and expensive there with parking ($50 per night at most hotels downtown), and you pay quite a bit to cross the bridges in, but nothing like London.
    I was just there:

    http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/IMG_2296copy.jpg

    But I can tell you this, if you drive in from the south (no bridges) and park at a meter, it doesn't cost more than a few dollars to be there. There is no tax just for enetering the city. America has none of that. Yet...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By Jezza Posted: 3/22/2008 7:05pm PDT

    Wow, $50 is way too much. Don't think I've ever paid more than $20.

    Great picture, by the way. What are the specs on your Mustang?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By Gus Posted: 3/23/2008 10:22am PDT

    Thanks!
    08 GT. Every option but the huge stereo (didn't want the trunk filled with subwoofers, getting too old for that)...
    No wing (again, too old).
    Padded rollbar (didn't think the windshield frame would do much for me in a rollover).
    And given the nature of today's environmentalists, 24 mpg (US) at 70mph on the freeway from a 300 horspower, 300 torques V8.
    And here's the part that will drive anyone from Europe nuts:
    Less than $36,000 including taxes and DMV registration fees.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By Raptor Posted: 3/23/2008 10:43am PDT

    >>Less than $36,000 including taxes and DMV registration fees.

    Over here, it costs around 45 000 € / 68 000 $.

    Someone should get shot. :)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. By Gus Posted: 3/23/2008 8:01pm PDT

    See, and that's the problem, it's not a car worth $68,000.
    That's a CLK 550 convertible, which is just as fast, but better quality, better handling, etc.

    Anyway back to the topic, there is nowhere in the US that it costs more than the cost of gas to drive in...unless you park... :)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.