Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

Spyropoulos, Georgios; Spyrakis, Konstantinos; Christopoulos, Konstantinos; Kostopoulos, Emmanouil

doi:10.3390/futuretransp5040167

Open AccessArticle

Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

by

Georgios Spyropoulos

^*

,

Konstantinos Spyrakis

,

Konstantinos Christopoulos

and

Emmanouil Kostopoulos

Soft Energy Applications & Environmental Protection Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, University of West Attica, 250 Thivon and P. Ralli Str., GR-12244 Athens, Greece

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Future Transp. 2025, 5(4), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5040167

Submission received: 31 July 2025 / Revised: 17 October 2025 / Accepted: 28 October 2025 / Published: 7 November 2025

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Abstract

The transportation sector is responsible for over 20% of Europe’s CO₂ emissions, significantly worsening urban air quality and compromising public health. Electric vehicles (EVs)—namely BEVs and PHEVs—offer some relief by lowering noise and pollution in urban settings. Nevertheless, their effectiveness in benefiting the environment relies on the current electricity generation mix. In accordance with national energy goals, this study evaluates the environmental effects of EV adoption in Greece until 2035, utilizing a scenario-based approach grounded in the forecasts of the Greek National Energy and Climate Plan. Three different electrification pathways are examined to explore how varying levels of electric vehicle adoption and progress in decarbonizing the power sector could reduce air pollution, particularly in cities. By comparing the projected CO₂, CO, NO_x, PM₁₀, and SO₂ pollutant output from BEVs and PHEVs with those of internal combustion engine vehicles, the study highlights the significance of integrating renewable energy sources and assesses the potential for EVs to reduce emissions within Greece’s changing energy mix.

Keywords: electric vehicles; electricity mix; transportation; sustainable mobility; air pollutants; greenhouse gas emissions; climate change

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MDPI and ACS Style

Spyropoulos, G.; Spyrakis, K.; Christopoulos, K.; Kostopoulos, E. Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles. Future Transp. 2025, 5, 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5040167

AMA Style

Spyropoulos G, Spyrakis K, Christopoulos K, Kostopoulos E. Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles. Future Transportation. 2025; 5(4):167. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5040167

Chicago/Turabian Style

Spyropoulos, Georgios, Konstantinos Spyrakis, Konstantinos Christopoulos, and Emmanouil Kostopoulos. 2025. "Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles" Future Transportation 5, no. 4: 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5040167

APA Style

Spyropoulos, G., Spyrakis, K., Christopoulos, K., & Kostopoulos, E. (2025). Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles. Future Transportation, 5(4), 167. https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5040167

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Electrifying Transport: Assessing the Air Quality and Policy Implications of Battery Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles

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