Germany has become the latest nation to join a European Union movement to implement emissions-based taxes for vehicles.  The more greenhouse gases the vehicle emits, the higher the tax on the vehicle.  German coalitions have kicked and screamed over the plan with automakers like Porsche, BMW and Mercedes-Benz all building high performance cars, but Chancellor Angela Merkel coalition government prevailed in getting the votes to take the country green.

The new law is expected to go into effect on July 1 of this year, at which time all new cars will be taxed according to both engine size and CO2 emissions per kilometer traveled.  Current taxes on smaller cars would actually drop in Germany with a small, fuel efficient car like the Opel Agila costing its owner €123.50/year ($164), reported to be about €75 less than the owner pays today. 

According to Der Spiegel, there are now 12 EU countries that have passed similar laws.