Filenews 2 July 2025 - by Charalambos Zakos
The trend that has been forming lately comes to overturn the initial estimates for the penetration of pure electric cars in the preferences of drivers.
This phenomenon is of course not Cypriot, as it was promoted by European policies, however, citizens first and foremost and then the car manufacturers seem to have different plans.
From the official data on car registrations in Cyprus, it seems that citizens – due to several reasons that have to do with price – prefer the intermediate solution, i.e. hybrids.
The data of the Statistical Service for vehicle registrations in 2024 clearly demonstrate the trends.
Specifically:
– Of the 6,024 new cars, 3,224 were hybrids, 2,137 were gasoline, 550 were electric and 113 were diesel.
– Something similar applies to used cars, since out of the 7,903 registrations, 3,606 were for gasoline cars, 2,950 for hybrids, 1,163 for diesel cars and 185 for electric cars.
Second thoughts about electric?
The promotion of all-electric cars may not meet the initial expectations of states and car manufacturers. In contrast, hybrids have developed a particular dynamic.
On the one hand, their more affordable selling prices compared to pure electric ones and on the other hand, the safety offered by the gasoline engine in relation to the constant stress for charging have brought them to the top of the list of preferences.
Irrelevant to the above is the fact that Cyprus had set the bar high for electric cars, since by 2030 more than 80,000 pure electric cars must circulate on Cypriot roads.
A difficult undertaking if the registration numbers are analyzed on the one hand and if the concerns of car importers are "adopted" on the other.
Moreover, although the electrification plans have provided incentives for the purchase of electric and hybrid cars, the number of sponsorships that can be given each year cannot meet the expectations for 80,000 pure electric cars in Cyprus.
The Association of Importers of Motor and Electric Vehicles (SEMIO) in a statement yesterday warned that the sponsorship scheme is insufficient for the target of 80,000 electric cars, calling for an increase in the budget and a subsidy only for new vehicles and not for used ones.
Applications for sponsorships will open 8 July
For this reason, the Electromobility Plan will open, as noted by the Ministry of Transport, on 8/07/2025 at 9:00 a.m.
- 40 sponsorships of €7,500 for the withdrawal and purchase of a hybrid car with a purchase cost ceiling of €80,000.
- 150 sponsorships of €9,000 for the purchase of a new all-electric car
- 10 grants of €20,000 for the purchase of a new pure electric car for disabled vehicle beneficiaries
- 10 grants of €20,000 for the purchase of a new pure electric car for large families and
- 50 grants of €9,000 for the purchase of a used electric car with a purchase ceiling of €35,000.
