NGVA Europe, the new partnership of gaseous fuel on the European continent, reported through its institutional newsletter that the Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany has announced that the environmentally friendly vehicles, including gas vehicles, will be exempt from automotive taxes.

   In this way, the German government aims to change the type of valuation for the sale of vehicles. The units will no longer be taxed based on the capability of the engine (for example: a 2-liter diesel to € 308 per year), but in reference to CO2 emissions.

   The information provided by the European institution indicated that, from January 1 2009, all new registered cars that comply with the Euro 4 standards will not pay motor tax for a year. While the new models that comply with Euro 5 will be exempted for two years.

   For final approval, the initiative must be confirmed by the 16 German states because the responsibility for taxation policy on the automobile depends on the federal states.

   Manuel Lage, General Manager of NGVA Europe, said that although it has not discussed what will happen with the Euro 6 emissions standard yet, vehicles powered by natural gas can easily adapt to it, so it will be very interesting the treatment that Germany give the gaseous fuel in the future.