New development of car propulsion systems and market trends in the context of sustainable transport at West Balkan region

Transport has significant role in achieving more general sustainable development goals. This is especially a case in the regions where road transport is a dominant, as in the Western Balkan countries. Due to that, it is of permanent interest to improve this economic area into the direction of global sustainable development as a whole.
Battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids have notable improvements in last decade in terms of their performances and range.
Their prices have been lowered and are comparable with traditionally Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powered vehicles, as well.
On the other hand, technology development of propulsion systems employing ICE and of the fuel for them resulted in more acceptable energy efficiency and emission characteristics.
The automotive area, as one of the main economic areas, is subject of policies on different levels (state, municipality, company, etc.).
Decision making on each of those levels should be related to the capacities of different types of vehicles to contribute in the effort to achieve sustainable development goals.
This paper gives a view on the way the development of car technology, and market situation to the possibilities of further contribution to the sustainable transport in Western Balkan countries.