A motor vehicle has an impact on air, space, creates noise, vibrations, affects water, soil. Efforts are being made to reduce permitted emissions of harmful substances from exhaust gases. The paper will state the legal regulations by which the international community tries to solve the problems caused by motor vehicles. I will try to say what are the regulations by which the European Union solves these problems. And the Republic of Croatia (hereafter: the Republic of Croatia) as a member of the EU is struggling with these problems at the national level. By analyzing and synthesizing the situation and circumstances, we will arrive at a not very bright picture that awaits humanity, bearing in mind the environment, considering the development of motor vehicles and possible alternative solutions. All this is established in books, legal acts, scientific articles and reliable online sources. Motor vehicles have a good side because they allow people to move faster and easier, and transport products and raw materials faster. The downside is that they pollute the ecosystem, negatively affecting flora, fauna and human health. The problem is how to balance the pros and cons of motor vehicles. This problem must be solved by the Republic of Croatia at the national level, the EU, the international community and every person through their responsible behavior towards the environment. All possible legal means available should be used to preserve the land for present and future generations. Human health, flora and fauna must become priorities. We must give more importance to ecology. The role of technology in solving this problem is very important. In the case of motor vehicles, an example is the replacement of an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. We cannot use our environment as a waste disposal site. The time has come when we can no longer send large amounts of harmful substances into the atmosphere. A new policy is needed in which environmental protection will be the first priority.