Recent legislation has ensured that Montenegrin consumers now have a choice when purchasing a new vehicle. In late 2017, Montenegro made auto fuel economy labeling of new cars sold in Montenegro mandatory.
Since 2011, a UN body known as the GFEI has supported Montenegro with the development of an auto fuel economy baseline as well as the development of a comprehensive national policy that includes tax incentives for more fuel-efficient cars and an auto fuel economy label.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, with support from the Regional Environmental Centers Montenegro Country Office, issued the directive on June 27, 2017, in accordance with EU Directive 1999/94/EC on the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions. The directive was then published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro, making the fuel economy label mandatory by law for all vehicle importers who bring in new cars. Auto importers were advised that they can use the proposed label design or develop their own label following the Rulebook framework and the EU Directive.
Supporting the labeling programme, the Rulebook also stipulates the yearly publication of an official Guide on Fuel Economy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions for consumers. This Guide for new passenger vehicles available on the Montenegrin market contains the annual list of models of new passenger vehicles available, fuel type and official data on fuel economy and CO2 emissions for each given model. It also includes a list of ten models of new passenger cars with the most economical fuel consumption vehicle, ranked according to rising Co2 emissions by fuel type.
The REC Montenegro office will continue to support the revision of the vehicle registration tax according to CO2 criteria, and as recommended by the draft national auto fuel economy policy.
