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Electric And Hybrid Vehicles Strengthen Cyprus’ Automotive Market In 2025

According to recent data released by Cystat, Cyprus witnessed a robust 4.2 percent increase in total motor vehicle registrations during the first ten months of 2025, climbing from 42,930 to 44,732 units. This growth underscores the island nation’s evolving automotive landscape as consumer demand shifts towards greener technologies.

Rising Demand For Low-Emission Technologies

The report highlights that passenger saloon car registrations grew by 4.0 percent, reaching 34,782 units. A notable detail is that 37.2 percent of these vehicles are brand new, while the remaining 62.8 percent are pre-owned. Moreover, rental car registrations surged by an impressive 33.8 percent to 4,866 units. Such trends indicate that both individuals and businesses are increasingly favoring environmentally friendly vehicle options.

Hybrid And Electric Models Gain Ground

A deeper dive into the data reveals a discernible consumer tilt away from traditional fuels. The market share of petrol-powered passenger cars dropped to 42.5 percent from 49.5 percent, with diesel models also receding to 8.6 percent from 10 percent. In contrast, electric cars experienced a modest growth from 3.8 percent to 4.8 percent, and hybrids soared from 36.7 percent to 44.1 percent. Nearly half of all new passenger saloon car registrations thus comprise hybrid or fully electric models, a milestone that signals Cyprus’ commitment to low-emission mobility.

Growth Across Commercial Vehicle Segments

Commercial segments were not left behind. Motor coaches and buses increased from 125 to 167 units, while the goods conveyance category expanded by 6.6 percent, reaching 5,142 units. Within this segment, rental vehicles, light goods vehicles, and heavy goods vehicles recorded gains of 23.3 percent, 6.6 percent, and 3.1 percent respectively. Notably, road tractors maintained steady numbers, and motorcycles over 50cc increased by 17.0 percent, reflecting diversified growth across all vehicle types. Conversely, mopeds under 50cc saw a significant decline, falling from 627 to 190 units.

October 2025: A Snapshot Of Accelerated Growth

Focusing on October 2025, total vehicle registrations reached 4,520—a 9.9 percent increase from October 2024’s 4,111 units. Passenger saloon cars alone spiked by 11.7 percent, further underscoring the sustained momentum of the market.

Conclusion: Steering Towards A Sustainable Future

The latest figures clearly indicate that consumer preferences in Cyprus are undergoing a powerful transformation, increasingly favoring hybrid and electric vehicles over traditional petrol and diesel models. This shift not only supports the nation’s environmental goals but also positions Cyprus’ automotive market at the forefront of low-emission innovation in the region.

Cyprus Renewable Energy Sector Under Scrutiny: President Demands Swift Transformation

Cyprus is under increasing pressure to expedite progress in developing its renewable energy sector, a sentiment expressed forcefully by President Nikos Christodoulides at the 13th Energy Symposium in Nicosia. In his address, the president outlined an ambitious energy strategy concentrating on renewable sources, gas exploration, and enhanced regional interconnectivity, while openly criticizing the sluggish pace of renewable initiatives—a fault he deemed entirely within Cyprus’ control.

Renewable Energy And Gas Exploration

Emphasizing the conference theme, ‘Time For Action In Energy,’ President Christodoulides stressed that global expectations have shifted from rhetoric to the execution of tangible projects. Notably, he recalled that although Cyprus made its first gas discovery in 2011, the exploitation of these deposits within its Exclusive Economic Zone has yet to commence, even as 2025 advances.

Renewables In The Spotlight

While the president discussed the potential of gas extraction and regional electricity interconnections, his most scathing remarks focused on the renewable energy shortfall. Despite Cyprus enjoying an average of 350 sunny days per year, the current integration of renewable sources into its energy mix stands at a modest 23 percent. In stark contrast to northern European nations, which have achieved higher renewable penetration even with less sunlight, this disparity is a source of national disappointment.

Government Initiatives And Reform

Highlighting progress under his administration, Christodoulides cited significant developments in photovoltaic adoption—8,500 applications submitted and upgrades completed for 4,000 homes to date. He also underlined future green tax incentives and a crucial overhaul of the transmission system to bolster energy storage and grid stability. The president argued that modern energy storage is essential not only for maximizing renewable output but also for reducing costs and supporting a more resilient grid.

Market Liberalization And Consumer Benefits

In a concurrent reform, Cyprus recently launched its competitive electricity market on October 2. This move is expected to allow consumers to select suppliers in a more transparent, flexible, and cost-effective manner. By integrating conventional generation with renewable production, the reform is poised to offer significant benefits to households and businesses alike.

Strategic Regional Interconnections

Addressing the highly debated issue of regional interconnection, the president confirmed ongoing discussions with neighboring states regarding electrical grid integration. He endorsed the €1.9 billion Great Sea Interconnector project (GSI), connecting the electricity grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Upgrades to both the economic and technical parameters of the project were recently agreed upon in Athens.

Forming Strategic Alliances

President Christodoulides also highlighted the newly established 3+1 energy cooperation framework between Cyprus, Israel, Greece, and the United States as a strategic initiative. This alliance is aimed at fortifying energy security by diversifying the region’s energy sources and diminishing dependence on less reliable actors. Meetings, including one in Athens and upcoming sessions in Washington, DC, are set to further align the interests of Eastern Mediterranean nations with those of global energy powerhouses.

Overcoming Challenges And Future Outlook

Despite occasional controversies surrounding the GSI project—such as financial commitment concerns by Greek officials and alleged conflicts of interest as noted in previous reports—ongoing dialogue among key ministers, including Energy Ministers George Papanastasiou and Stavros Papastavrou along with European Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, has helped defuse tensions. Looking ahead, the interconnector is seen as a cornerstone of the broader India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) initiative, reinforcing Cyprus’ strategic importance in the regional energy landscape.

Looking Beyond

In a final note at the symposium, President Christodoulides announced plans for an upcoming trip to Lebanon on November 26 to engage in further strategic energy discussions. This international outreach underscores Cyprus’ commitment to not only resolving its current challenges but also positioning itself as a dynamic alternative energy corridor to Europe.

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