Merita Toska
Articles
Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49, pp. 5
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the awareness, perceptions, and expectations of households and business communities regarding the green transition process in Albania. Although Albania is making efforts at the policy and institutional levels to transition towards a modern, climate-neutral, and resource-efficient economy, it is essential to understand the community’s perspective on this process. The study examines the complex relationship between Albania’s shift towards sustainability and adaptability, explicitly emphasising the overall awareness and attitudes towards this pivotal shift among households and business communities. Employing a comprehensive socio-economic survey targeting households and businesses occupying prefabricated buildings in three areas of Tirana, the research seeks to gauge the depth of awareness and readiness of these stakeholders regarding energy-efficient solutions. Central to the investigation is exploring perceptions and attitudes, including the willingness to invest in and pay for such solutions. Shedding light on these factors provides valuable insights into the socio-economic dynamics that shape Albania's path towards sustainability and resilience amid the imperatives of a green transition.
Keywords: Albania, green transition, community perceptions, energy efficiency
[merita_toska@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[elona_karafili@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[kejt_dhrami@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[fiona_imami@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[ogerta_gjitknuri@co-plan.org], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Citation
APA: Toska, M., Karafili, E., Dhrami, K., Imami, F., & Gjiknuri, O. (2025). Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings. Europa XXI, 49, 5. https://doi.org/
MLA: Toska, Merita, et al. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 5. https://doi.org/
Chicago: Toska, Merita, Karafili, Elona, Dhrami, Kejt, Imami, Fiona, and Gjiknuri, Ogerta. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 5. https://doi.org/
Harvard: Toska, M., Karafili, E., Dhrami, K., Imami, F., & Gjiknuri, O. 2025. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 5. https://doi.org/
Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49, pp. 6 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
Abstract
Deemed instrumental in reducing GHG emissions in the upcoming decades, the transition towards electric mobility constitutes a well-articulated objective in multiple governance levels. The ability to reach the established goals for transport decarbonisation and climate change mitigation is broadly determined by consumer behaviour; therefore, understanding consumer preferences is fundamental. This study aims to explore consumer awareness, perceptions, preferences and public support for electric mobility in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Information on the consumer's readiness to use electric vehicles, the eventual knowledge gap on the topic, the potential role of the government and the perceived barriers and concerns are gathered by making use of exploratory sequential mixed-method research, which combines insights from interviews with the primary data of a questionnaire-based survey conducted using the snowball non-probabilistic sampling technique. Electric mobility is emerging in the selected countries, and multiple uncertainties act as barriers to EV penetration. Findings suggest low awareness and knowledge of electric mobility and electric vehicles. Nevertheless, there is a positive attitude towards electric mobility, while costs, limited infrastructure, and frail confidence are restraints to their actual behaviour (switching to electric mobility, including EVs, e-bikes, and other alternatives). Public authorities can build confidence around e-mobility through incentivisation schemes, investments in public, accessible, affordable charging infrastructure, and adjustments in the regulatory framework.
Keywords: electric mobility, consumer preferences, Western Balkans, decarbonisation, transport
[elona_karafili@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[flora_krasniqi@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University / Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
[merita_toska@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Citation
APA: Karafili, E., Krasniqi, F., & Toska, M. (2025). The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries. Europa XXI, 49, 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
MLA: Karafili, Elona, et al. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
Chicago: Karafili, Elona, Krasniqi, Flora, and Toska, Merita. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
Harvard: Karafili, E., Krasniqi, F., & Toska, M. 2025. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6