Electric vehicle push in Cyprus hits roadblocks

Cyprus aims to reduce conventional vehicle use from 97% to 70% by 2030, with a goal of registering 85,000 electric vehicles (EVs). However, with only 2,270 EVs sold last year, largely due to a state subsidy program, reaching this target seems challenging given the current market conditions.

As of December 31, 2024, Cyprus had 1,601 plug-in hybrid vehicles and 5,360 electric vehicles, including motorcycles, vans, and buses, among a total of over 1 million active vehicles. To meet the 2030 goal, additional incentives and collaboration between the state and private sector are needed, along with improvements in infrastructure, particularly the expansion of EV charging stations.

Cyprus lags behind other European nations in charging infrastructure, with only 57 stations compared to thousands in countries like the Netherlands and Germany. Efforts to address this include the government’s requirement for charging spaces in public buildings and a proposal to revive grants for EV chargers. The Federation of Employers and Industrialists (OEV) has also suggested amending laws to expand charging at petrol stations. These efforts are part of broader initiatives to modernize the country's fleet and align with global trends towards electric vehicles.