Curriculum vitae

From December 2013 to May 2024, he has been an official of the the European Commission (European Commission) στη in the Directorate General Climate Action (DG-CLIMA) (Directorate General Climate Action, DG-CLIMA) Unit B3 – Mobility (I): Road transport in Brussels. Responsible to develop and implement EU policy as regard the reduction of CO 2 emissions from heavy-duty road vehicles (HDVs). This involved assisting in the preparation of CO 2 emissions simulation technology (VECTO) and drafting appropriate legislation to give effect to this simulation technology so that CO 2 emissions may be monitored and verified. VECTO and drafting appropriate legislation to give effect to this simulation technology so that CO 2 emissions may be monitored and verified. Worked closely with industry and other stakeholders such as Member State authorities and NGOs, managed Commission funded projects relating to these tasks, contributed to call evaluation and project management, prepared briefings, letters, attended meetings within the Commission or Council or European Parliament.

Dr. Savvidis has been also an Assistant Professor at the University of Antwerp.University of AntwerpIn addition to lecturing, he provided support to undergraduate and postgraduate students, of the Faculty of Applied Engineering, within Mechanical Engineering Department. His main focus was to conduct high-quality research, develop research programmes and apply for funding, as well as publications in international scientific journals and conferences. In addition, he participated in administrative and collective activities at the School and the University. Responsible for preparing and budgeting theG-DRIVE: Green Development, Research and Innovation in Vehicle Engineeringproposal submitted to the EU for funding. This Master’s degree was approved and funded by the EU and the Erasmus + Programme in June 2013 (539105-LLP-1-2013-1-BE-ERASMUS-EQR). He has participated as a speaker in several Intensive Program on pollutant emissions from passenger and commercial vehicles, Eco Driving, vehicle recycling and environmental protection.

From June 2010 to June 2012, he has been seconded in Brussels, as Seconded National Expert at the European Commission, Directorate General Industry and Enterprise (DG-ENTR),, Machinery Sector (Unit G4), responsible for amending the European Directive 97/68/EC on pollutant emissions from Non-Road Mobile Machinery, which aims to approximate the laws of the Member States relating to emission standards and type-approval procedures for engines installed in non-road mobile machinery. This Directive contributes to the smooth functioning of the internal market of each member country while at the same time protecting human health and the environment. The achievement of the strategic objectives set by that Directorate-General

He represented the European Commission in the European Parliament when a provision concerning the European Directive, for which he was responsible, was to be discussed or adopted. It also participated in the Brussels-based Council of the European Union to promote the amendment of the Commission Directive 97/68 and the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from internal combustion engines to be installed in non-road mobile machinery and monitored developments on urban air emission limits in cooperation with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment (DG Environment).

In October 2007, he was recruited through ASEP, being first of more than 200 candidates, in the former Prefecture of Thessaloniki, current the Region of Central Macedoniaand he is a permanent civil servant. He was assigned to the Directorate for Transport and Communications of Western Thessaloniki, the Vehicle Control Department (DEO). From August 2012 to November 2013, he was granted unpaid leave on private grounds, during which he held his seat at the University of Antwerp, and he was granted unpaid leave for work from September 2017 to date.
at the European Agency

From October 2003 to October 2007, he taught at the Vehicle’s Department of the Higher Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki as a full-time lecturer with full qualifications. Undergraduate teaching in the Department included Internal Combustion Engines I and II, Vehicles II, Electrotechnics for Vehicles and Mechanical Laboratories – Vehicle Elements. Supervising and contributing to the preparation of the graduate work of the students in the department for obtaining their degree were within his duties. In addition, he was involved and lectured in the module «Alternative forms of energy» during the second semester of the programme (1 st and 2 nd courses ) in the inter-departmental Master’s Programme of Studies «Environment – New Technologies» of the University of Ioannina and the Higher Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki

Throughout this period, he also worked as α hourly paid teacher in secondary education and has taught both in public and private vocational training institutes (ΙΕΚ) and in Vocational Training Centres (KEK). Participated as a keynote speaker in several specialised seminars on: «Electric and hybrid cars», «European legislation and eco-driving» and «Future pollutant emission limits and alternative fuels».

From 2006 to 2009, he has been member of the coordinating and organisational group of professors of six European universities (Karel de Grote-Hogenschool, Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Technical University of Wroclaw, Turku University, University of Cologne, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and ATEI Thessaloniki) with the ultimate objective of development and design of the Curriculum Development for the Master in New Technological and Ecological Standards in Automotive Engineering, CarEcology(www.carecology.eu). At this Master’s degree, he taught and was Module Leader in three modules. He supervised a total of more than 15 final thesis, participated in Bachelor’s and Master’s Examination Committees in Greece and abroad, as well as a doctoral examination committee (after receiving and invitation) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel – VUB in Brussels (2018).

From October 2001 to September 2003 he was based in England, in Watford, London, working Iveco as a Homologation Engineer at Iveco’s headquarters. He had to work closely with the English Department for Transport on environmental protection issues, the issuing of the European and National Type Approvals of Iveco’s vehicles, and the formulation and definition of future pollutant emission limits for Diesel engines (Euro III, Euro IV). He has been also company’s internal auditor with regards to ISO 9001 certification.

He is the son of Konstantinos Savvidis and Anna Savvidou. He was born on the 30 th of May 1974 in Kozani, where he graduated from the 1 st General High School. He has two older brothers, Sakis and Antonis. He is married to Maria Banti, an environmental scientist, graduate of the National School of Public Administration and an official of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, and the father of two children, Anna and Konstantinos.

In May 2011, he was awarded a PhD at the University of Leeds, Department of Mechanical Engineering. His thesis was awarded a scholarship by the Energy and Resources Research Institute (ERRI) of the University of Leeds in November 2005. The subject of his doctoral thesis is PhD in Road Transport Emissions in the Real World. The aim of the thesis was to draw conclusions on pollutant emissions from passenger car engines of different technologies (Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3 and Euro 4) in real world conditions (not in a laboratory) and measurements made in tests and situations encountered by the driver daily. Modern exhaust analysers were fitted to vehicles and pollutant emissions together with other parameters, such as atmospheric conditions (ambient temperature, humidity, etc.), hot or cold start, driving behaviour, behaviour, traffic congested roads but also extra-urban routes were measured and and calculated. The data received were processed, analysed and evaluated, and and after an in-depth study the results of the thesis were presented. Throughout its execution, a significant number of scientific publications were drafted and presented at international conferences and some of them were included in international journals and books.

In September 2004, for 2 academic semesters, he followed and successfully completed the ASPETE Annual Pedagogical Training Programme (EPPIK) in Thessaloniki. Following an evaluation of eleven (11) modules in the curriculum and practical teaching exercises (YDPs) in September 2005, he was awarded the certificate of pedagogical and teaching competence. The certificate shall enable teachers and prospective teachers holding a higher education qualification, irrespective of their specialisation, when drawing up the single lists of alternates and hourly rates, to be promoted in each case per table and shall make a decisive contribution to their pedagogical training as future teachers.

In November 2002, he was awarded a scholarship from The Leeds of University and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of England for further post-graduate studies, alongside work, with a specialisation in engine emissions and a Master’s of Science in Transport Engine Emissions, which he successfully completed in November 2004.

In September 1998, he started a postgraduate degree at the University of Leeds , Master of Science, MSc in Mechanical Engineering, which was awarded in September 1999.

The doctoral degree and the two postgraduate diplomas have been fully recognised by the DIKATSA (DOATAP) as being equivalent to those awarded by the Greek higher education institutions.

He is a graduate of the Vehicle’s Department, the School of Technological Applications (STEP) of the former Thessaloniki ATEI, completing his studies in May 1998 with a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Automotive Engineering. 

He has a fairly important research and scientific work with more than 50 publications and 300 citations, announcements and participations in international journals and conferences, and he is the author of the scientific book entitled «Modern Braking Systems and Safety», ISBN No 960-630-763-8.He has attended several seminars and workshops at various universities in England, the European Commission and major car manufacturers. He has also represented the European Commission worldwide as a keynote speaker.

In addition:

• In January 2000, he was ranked in the Greek Army and completed his service in the Military Police. Part of his service was spent at the NATO Alliance Headquarters in Greece based in Tyrnavos, Larissa. του εκπονήθηκε στο Συμμαχικό Στρατηγείο του ΝΑΤΟ στην Ελλάδα με έδρα τον Τύρναβο Λαρίσης.
• Member of the Register of Educators of the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (EKDDA) with registration number 16341/14-12-2010.
• Member of the Register of Certificates of Adult Instructors of the National Centre for Certification (EKEPIS) with registration number EB 15683.
• Member of the National Certification Centre (EKEPIS) with registration number of trainers: SEK415683.
• Holder of the professional licence to practise the profession of Automotive Engineer (Register number 990)
• Since 2005 he has been reviewer in SAE, Elsevier The science publisher, IEEE, Premier Publishers Journal of Environment and Waste Management and IMechE.
• He speaks English as well as French (level B2), Dutch (level A2) and holds the Italian State Linguistic Graduate (level B2)
• Holds the ECDL European Grade certifying excellent IT knowledge.
• Interviews and articles have been hosted by various medias. In addition, he has represented the European Commission in radio interviews on Micro-USB mobile chargers.
• Cooking is also one of his interests. He participated as a «tester of the month» of the «Gourmet» magazine of a Press and has also attended cooking courses in England.
• He is a great fan of motorsports and classical cars and has participated in classical historical rally competitions in Greece. He has also taken part, at amateur level, in Go-Kart races in England, where he won a silver and a bronze medal. He is holder of a sports licence from ELPA.
• He has been a volleyball player in two different teams.
• He loves to travel and has visited the following countries: England, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Hungary, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, FYROM, Czechi, Finland, Poland, Türkiye, Mexico, India, China, Japan, Argentina and America.
• He is a volunteer of a blood donor, while wishing to assist his fellow people by offering post-death tissues and organs for transplantation, he is a donor of organs and belongs to the Greek National Register of Organ Donors of the Greek National Organisation for Transplantation (EOM). Εθνικού Οργανισμού Μεταμοσχεύσεων (ΕΟΜ).