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Cyprus Sees Robust Growth In Motor Vehicle Registrations Amid Shift To Hybrid And Electric

Cyprus commenced 2026 with solid momentum in its automotive sector, underscored by a marked 6.7 percent increase in motor vehicle registrations in January, according to data from Cystat. The positive figures reflect a deepening market transformation as consumers increasingly pivot toward cleaner, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Market Performance Overview

A total of 4,350 vehicles were registered in January 2026, compared with 4,077 a year earlier. The figures point to continued demand across the sector, even as the industry adapts to changing fuel technologies and evolving mobility trends.

Passenger Car Trends And Shifts

Registrations of passenger saloon cars increased by 4.5 percent to 3,317 units, up from 3,173 in January 2025. New vehicles accounted for 39 percent of registrations, or 1,294 units, while used cars made up the remaining 61 percent with 2,023 registrations. In contrast, rental saloon registrations declined sharply by 22.8 percent to 159 units.

Changing Fuel Dynamics

Fuel preferences also continued to shift. The share of petrol-powered passenger cars fell from 42.5 percent to 35.8 percent year on year. Diesel vehicles edged slightly higher, moving from 8.1 percent to 8.4 percent. Electric vehicles expanded their presence from 5.6 percent to 6.9 percent, while hybrid cars strengthened their lead, rising from 43.8 percent to 48.8 percent of new registrations.

Commercial And Two-Wheeler Segments

Activity was mixed in the commercial vehicle segment. Motor coaches and buses rose to 23 registrations from 7 a year earlier. Heavy goods vehicles increased by 43.8 percent to 69 units, while light goods vehicles grew by 16 percent to 471. Road tractors also recorded an 18.8 percent rise to 19 units. Rental goods vehicles, however, dropped sharply by 70 percent to just 3 registrations.

In the two-wheeler category, mopeds under 50cc declined to 6 units from 22, whereas motorcycles above 50cc climbed 13.5 percent to 387 registrations, up from 341 the previous year.

Overall, the data highlights a market that is gradually shifting toward cleaner mobility options while maintaining stable overall demand.

Cyprus Introduces €200 Million Support Measures To Cut Energy And Food Costs

Comprehensive Relief Measures For A Resilient Economy

The government of Cyprus introduced support measures exceeding €200 million to reduce household expenses and support key sectors. The package targets energy costs, food prices, tourism and agriculture. Measures come in response to rising costs and supply pressures. Implementation begins in April and May 2026.

Energy And Fiscal Reforms

The government will reduce VAT on electricity for households to 5% from May 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. The measure is expected to lower energy bills. Special consumption tax on transport fuels will decrease by 8.33 cents per liter between April and June 2026. Policy targets fuel-related costs.

Broadening The Zero VAT Initiative

Authorities will expand the list of products with zero VAT. Meat, poultry and fish will be included from April 1 to September 30, 2026. Existing zero-VAT categories already include fruits and vegetables. The government also decided not to introduce a green tax on fuels, avoiding an additional cost of about 9 cents per liter.

Sector-Specific Supports

The package includes a 30% wage subsidy for hotel employees for April 2026. Measure supports tourism businesses during the early season. Support for airlines aims to maintain connectivity with key destinations. The agriculture sector will receive subsidies covering 15% of costs for fertilizers and supplies in April and May.

Economic Stability, National Security

President Nikos Christodoulidis said economic stability remains a priority for the government. He noted that growth, fiscal balance and inflation trends support current policy decisions. Statement links economic policy with broader national priorities. The government continues to monitor external risks.

Ensuring Consumer Protection

Furthermore, the government has mandated rigorous market oversight and intensified inspections to prevent exploitative pricing during this period of economic intervention. This proactive stance ensures that the benefits of the measures directly serve the citizens without unintended inflationary impacts.

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