The main objective of the research presented in this article was to analyze the composition of exhaust gases from passenger cars undergoing periodic inspections and to determine the influence of vehicle age, mileage and the applicable EURO emission standard on the level of emissions of individual components of exhaust gases and thus on the environment. The research was carried out at the District Vehicle Inspection Station in Nowy Sącz, using methods for analyzing the composition of exhaust gases and smoke opacity. The results obtained make it possible to assess whether exhaust emission diagnostics can form the basis for the implementation of a sustainable road transport policy. The study showed that older vehicles emit higher concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC), and diesel cars manufactured before 2010 are characterized by increased smoke opacity. A reliable analysis of the emissions performance of vehicles on the road enables more effective measures to be taken to reduce emissions and improve air quality through regulation, the introduction of clean traffic zones and raising environmental awareness among drivers. This is especially important in regions with specific geographical conditions, such as the Nowy Sącz district, where the terrain—Nowy Sącz is located in a basin surrounded by mountain ranges—favors the accumulation of pollutants and hinders the natural air circulation, leading to the long-term persistence of smog.

The study analyzes pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors of residents in the mountainous regions of Małopolska regarding energy saving and transportation. The main objective was to determine the extent to which environmental awareness, vehicle technical condition, and driving style translate into actual energy-efficient behaviors. The research was conducted using a quantitative method among 423 respondents from six mountain districts of Małopolska, based on a proprietary questionnaire and statistical analysis employing non-parametric tests, correlation coefficients, and principal component analysis. The results indicate that respondents most frequently declare simple pro-environmental actions such as waste segregation and energy saving, while less often engaging in activities requiring higher effort or investment, such as eco-driving or limiting car use. Women exhibit higher environmental sensitivity and greater support for ecological regulations, whereas men tend to focus on the technical aspects of vehicle maintenance. The most pro-environmental attitudes and motivations to switch to low-emission vehicles are observed among individuals aged 25–44. The findings confirm that demographic factors significantly differentiate eco–energy-saving orientations, and that environmentally friendly transport behaviors are closely linked to everyday energy-saving practices.

In recent years, Poland has seen a dynamic increase in the number of vehicles on the road. Vehicles participating in road traffic come from both the domestic market, some registered as new, and are imported from foreign markets. The latter are mainly imported from Western Europe and from the American market. Vehicles imported onto the domestic market are several years old and quite often considerably worn out. On the other hand, vehicles from the American market are relatively new and sometimes damaged as a result of road incidents. The aim of this work is to perform a comparative analysis of the results of vehicle technical tests. Research was conducted at two regional vehicle inspection stations over three consecutive years. As part of this analysis, questions about the number of successful and unsuccessful technical tests were answered by the test type. In addition, the number of vehicles using the services of the various stations was evaluated, and the number of vehicle technical tests was analysed by the energy supply of those vehicles. This was followed by the comparison of the test results with the nationwide data in the Central Register of Vehicles and Drivers. A decrease in the number of unsuccessful vehicle tests was noted. Moreover, a greater number of tests of electric vehicles has been noted recently, which may be advantageous to the environment in the future.