Urban air pollution remains a major environmental and public health concern, and transportation contributes significantly to pollutant emissions. This study looks at the relationship between electric vehicle (EV) adoption, human-induced pollution, population density, and air quality in Norway’s four largest cities: Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger. Using historical air quality data from 2010 to 2023, we analyze trends in nitrogen dioxide (NO \(_2\) ), fine particulate matter (PM \(_{2.5}\) ), and coarse particulate matter (PM \(_{10}\) ). We apply regression models to assess the relationships between these pollutants, EV penetration and other anthropogenic factors. Our findings show that increased adoption of electric vehicles is associated with a decrease in NO \(_2\) and PM \(_{2.5}\) levels, while the effect is less pronounced than the total kilometres driven by the vehicle. In contrast, no significant link is discovered between EV adoption and PM \(_{10}\) concentrations, indicating that non-tailpipe emissions continue to be a major source to urban particle pollution. These findings emphasize the necessity of a holistic air quality approach that combines vehicle electrification with broader urban mobility strategies, such as reducing total traffic volume and mitigating non-exhaust PM emissions. The study offers useful insights for policymakers, emphasizing the importance of integrating urban planning and transportation strategies to enhance air quality improvements. Future research should look at causal links and meteorological elements to help refine these findings.