Porsche does battle with Ken over C-charge

Sports car manufacturer Porsche has condemned London mayor Ken Livingstone's decision to increase the congestion charge to £25 for "gas-guzzling" cars.

The rise will affect a number of motorists including those in luxury sports cars – prompting the German car maker to write a letter of complaint.

According to reports, Mr Livingstone has been advised to axe the plans to up the charge or "face a judicial review at the Royal Courts of Justice".

Porsche Cars Great Britain managing director Andy Goss warned Mr Livingstone that he had two weeks to respond to the letter or his firm would formally submit an application for the review.

He said: "A massive congestion charge increase is quite simply unjust."

Transport for London has expressed its disappointment at Porsche's negative reaction towards the decision to increase the charge for driving through the capital, however.

A spokesperson said: "It is unfortunate that a manufacturer of some of the most CO2 polluting and expensive cars in the world should challenge a decision which is in the interests of London and the protection of the environment."