Happy-go-lucky European in vehicle costing nothing (8)
I believe the answer is:
carefree
'happy-go-lucky' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'european in vehicle costing nothing' is the wordplay.
'european' becomes 'E' (abbreviation e.g. EU).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'vehicle' becomes 'car' (car is a kind of vehicle).
'costing nothing' becomes 'free' (given away for free).
'car'+'free'='carfree'
'e' going within 'carfree' is 'CAREFREE'.
(Other definitions for carefree that I've seen before include "Happy-go-lucky, no worries" , "irresponsible" , "Jaunty" , "Without a worry in the world" , "Roughly, heartless judge gives" .)