TRANSPORT - NEW PLAN FOR ELECTROMOBILITY, WHAT HAPPENED IN 2025 AND WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2026 - Filenews 17/3
The progress of the implementation of the policies and projects of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works for 2025 was presented on Monday by the Minister of Transport Alexis Vafeadis, emphasizing electromobility, major road projects, ports, airports and public transport.
During the presentation of the report, the minister stated that the ministry's policy is developed around four main pillars: faster travel, green transition, better infrastructure and easier service to citizens.
In the field of electromobility, Mr. Vafeadis said that the Department of Road Transport is working on a new sponsorship plan with a time horizon until 2030. As he mentioned, the transition to electric vehicles is ongoing, but state support is still needed, as prices have fallen but have not yet reached levels that make the choice self-evident for the average consumer.
As he explained, the market has not yet matured to the extent that it is moving towards electromobility without government intervention. Although the cost difference between electric vehicles and vehicles with internal combustion engines has narrowed, it remains, he said, large enough to influence purchasing decisions.
Unlike the previous plans, which were part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and had a horizon until 2026, the new program will provide for annual grants until the end of the decade, in the context of the obligations of the Republic of Cyprus arising from the National Energy and Climate Plan.
The minister reminded that in 2025, about 2,500 e-mobility grants were granted, with a total value of about €21.5 million, noting that this course shows gradual progress in the transition.
At the same time, he said that the goal is for about 85,000 electric vehicles to circulate on Cypriot roads by 2030. As he said, the achievement of the goal depends to a large extent on international developments in the car market and especially on the course of prices.
According to him, every year about 40,000 vehicles are registered in Cyprus and, if in the next four years about 15,000 registrations of electric vehicles are recorded annually, then the goal can be approached. At the same time, he pointed out that the market picture remains uncertain, with strong activity in China and a slowdown in the plans of several European automakers.
Mr. Vafeadis also noted that in Cyprus there is an increased interest in hybrid vehicles and underlined that the main goal of the policy is not only to increase the number of electric cars, but to reduce emissions.
Referring to public charging stations, he said that a plan is underway based on the Recovery Plan for the development of private charging points, which so far has not received the expected response. For this reason, he added, strengthening the network through public interventions is being considered.
Regarding the Paphos - Polis Chrysochous road, the minister stated that the original contract was terminated because the contractor was not proceeding in accordance with his contractual obligations. As he said, efforts were made to find a solution, however in the end it was deemed necessary to terminate the contract in order to have a prospect of progress.
The Department of Public Works re-tendered the project in August 2025, but the previous contractor submitted eleven objections to the Tender Review Authority, all of which were rejected, causing, according to the minister, delays in the process. The new bids are expected to be submitted at the end of March, while the preparation of the documents for the new phase from Stroumbi to Polis Chrysochous, which will concern a quadruple highway, has also been completed.
The minister described the project as critical for the development of the area, noting that it will improve road safety and strengthen the connection of Polis Chrysochous with urban centers.
Special reference was also made to the traffic of Limassol. Mr. Vafeadis noted that every year about 13,000 new vehicles are registered in the city, which significantly burdens the existing road network. As he mentioned, the construction of the Limassol Northern Bypass is now being promoted with the aim of announcing the first two sections by the end of the year, while smaller projects are also planned to connect the northern side of the city and decongest the motorway junctions.
In relation to the possibility of creating a tram, the minister reminded that a previous study on behalf of the European Commission had concluded that the project is not economically viable due to low population density. As he said, the ministry has requested an update of the study to determine if there is new data that could differentiate the conclusions.
Regarding the port and the marina of Larnaca, Mr. Vafeadis stated that in 2025 an agreement was signed for the preparation of a study that will determine the development model of the area after the termination of the contract with the Kition company. At the same time, the dredging project of the marina is progressing, which is also facing delays due to recent weather conditions.
Regarding the port of Limassol, he said that the state's revenues from the concession agreement have increased significantly since 2016 and reached about 60 million. in 2025. As he mentioned, container throughput approached 500,000 units, reflecting increased commercial activity.
In the aviation sector, the minister noted that in 2025 a record passenger traffic was recorded with 13.7 million passengers and air connectivity with 41 countries. As he explained, this increase put significant pressure on the infrastructure of Larnaca and Paphos airports.
According to him, the management company had an obligation to expand the facilities as early as 2018-2019, when a certain number of passengers was exceeded. The issue was led to arbitration, which vindicated the state, resulting in the start of the second phase of airport expansion, which is expected to significantly improve the passenger experience.
Mr. Vafeadis also cited data on public passenger transport, stating that travel reached 28 million, with the trend remaining upward. Despite the improvement, he noted that the use of public transport in Cyprus still ranges between 3% and 5% of the population.
In relation to the Pame Express service, he clarified that it has not stopped, despite the contractor's intention to stop operating due to a lack of drivers. As he said, the ministry considers that any interruption would constitute a violation of the contract and has already warned that the prescribed actions will follow, if the contractor insists.
The minister stressed that the lack of professional drivers is a European and international problem, while the possibility of lowering the age for obtaining a professional driving license is also being considered.
Reference was also made to the photo-marking system, for which Mr. Vafeadis argued that it is not a tax collection measure, but contributes substantially to the improvement of road safety. According to the ministry's data, as he said, the number of violations has decreased significantly in the last two years, which shows that drivers are adapting to the rules.
Regarding the proposal for countdown timing at traffic lights, he said that experts considered that it is not compatible with the smart signalling systems promoted in Europe, as it can create confusion for drivers. He added that the Department of Public Works is promoting action for the installation of smart lights, which will be able to autonomously detect traffic and congestion and adjust signalling accordingly.
Regarding the road projects, the minister stated that in 2025 nine important road projects were in progress, including the first phase of the Limassol - Saitta road, the Nicosia - Palaichori and Astromeriti - Evrychou highways, as well as the upgrade of the bridge in Kalavasos.
He also made special reference to the stabilization works of the old Paphos-Limassol road in the area of Petra tou Romiou, which he described as particularly demanding in terms of civil engineering. At the same time, projects such as the Larnaca-Dhekelia coastal road, which is expected to be completed within the year, as well as projects to improve access to Episkopi and periodic maintenance of highways in the province of Nicosia, continue.
At the level of studies, the ministry proceeded with the preparation of projects such as the Denia - Astromeritis highway, the Polis Chrysochous - Stroumbi road and the second phase of the Limassol - Saitta road, while the next phases of the Nicosia perimeter highway are also being promoted.
Mr. Vafeadis also stated that the total budget of the ministry for 2025 exceeded €500 million, not including the costs for projects implemented on behalf of other ministries.
In closing, he noted that the passenger traffic of 13.7 million passengers is a record number, which, as he said, reflects the work done both in the management of the airports and in the development of the tourism and business model, expressing the hope that this year will move at least at the same levels.
