Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Air Quality

Taxing Vehicles Based on Their Environmental Impact

The New Zealand Herald reports:

Germany's government plans to tax cars based on emissions instead of engine size to help tackle climate change, Transport Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee said.

Tiefensee told a news conference early Sunday that German and other European carmakers had to do more to protect the environment, after the head of the UN Environment Programme had chided Europe for complacency over climate change.

"The government will be pursuing that aim and that's why we're going to reform the motor vehicle taxes. The size of the engine will no longer be the determining factor but rather the impact on the environment, not only CO2 but other pollutants," he said.

Photo: Simone Ramella/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Byford Hopes Cash-Strapped NYC Will Help Fund Trump’s Penn Station Rehab

The Trump administration controls the future of Penn Station — but wants New York to pay for it.

January 29, 2026

Delivery Workers Are the Safest Cyclists On the Road, Study Finds

A new study from sociology researchers at Hunter University found that Delivery Workers are the safest cyclists on the road.

January 29, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: A Sketchy Case Edition

Congestion pricing looks like it'll be safe, thanks to flimsy arguments from President Trump's lawyers. Plus other news.

January 29, 2026

How to Use Data to Fight For Safe Streets and Stop Super Speeders

College coders built a simple tool for DMV staff and administrators to identify repeat dangerous speeding behavior.

January 29, 2026

‘Gateway’ Drug: Trump Is Holding the Second Avenue Subway Hostage

The president blocked funds for the Second Avenue Subway during the government shutdown in October — and the MTA has still not received the money, sources said.

January 28, 2026

TRAIN IN VAIN: Amtrak Pulls Plug On Metro-North Expansion

All aboard? Not so fast. Amtrak is putting the brakes on an expansion of the Metro-North that would have extended service to Albany.

January 28, 2026
See all posts