The Cypriot automotive market has seen a significant surge in sales this year, with figures showing a 16% increase in motor vehicle sales from January to August 2024. This growth, fuelled by rising demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids, highlights a transformative shift in the country’s automotive landscape and signals an increasing alignment with global trends towards sustainability and cleaner energy.

According to recent data, the total number of new vehicle registrations reached 28,848 during the first eight months of 2024, compared to 24,816 in the same period of 2023. This increase can largely be attributed to the growing popularity of EVs and hybrid models, which are rapidly gaining market share. In fact, EVs and hybrid vehicles now represent 21% of all new car sales in Cyprus, a considerable leap from previous years.

Several factors are driving this upward trend. Firstly, global awareness around climate change, paired with governmental incentives for sustainable transportation, has encouraged more consumers to consider environmentally friendly alternatives. In Cyprus, a combination of tax breaks, subsidies for EV purchases, and a growing charging infrastructure has made the shift to greener vehicles more appealing. Moreover, with the cost of ownership for traditional combustion-engine vehicles rising due to fuel price volatility, the economic argument for EVs and hybrids is becoming stronger.

Automotive manufacturers are also playing a role in this shift, with an increasing number of EV and hybrid models being introduced to the Cypriot market. The availability of more affordable and mid-range models is enabling a wider range of consumers to consider electric or hybrid vehicles as viable options. The competition between manufacturers to capture this emerging market is intense, with both global brands and local dealerships keen to capitalise on the shift towards greener mobility.

Despite these positive developments, challenges remain. While the infrastructure for EVs is expanding, Cyprus still lags behind other European countries in terms of the number of charging stations available. To fully support the growing EV and hybrid market, significant investment in charging infrastructure will be crucial. Furthermore, the initial cost of purchasing an EV, although decreasing, remains higher than that of traditional vehicles, potentially limiting the market to higher-income consumers.

Nonetheless, the trajectory for EVs and hybrid cars in Cyprus looks promising. The 16% growth in motor vehicle sales, coupled with the rising share of environmentally friendly vehicles, underscores the country’s gradual transition towards a more sustainable future. As technology advances and infrastructure improves, Cyprus is poised to further embrace electric and hybrid vehicles, contributing to both its environmental goals and the evolving automotive industry.