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Electric Vehicle Subsidies in Cyprus: Urgent Calls for Government Action

by News Editor

May 9, 2025

The Motor Vehicle Importers and Electric Vehicle Association (Semio) has urgently called upon the Transport Ministry for immediate action concerning the ongoing hurdles with electric vehicle (EV) subsidies in Cyprus.

Semio expresses its concern, warning that any further delays could exacerbate financial strain on its members and heighten consumer dissatisfaction. A formal meeting with the Transport Minister is on the agenda to clarify the government’s position on the subsidy program.

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Uncertainties and Impacts

The sudden stop of the EV grant scheme has stirred worry among car importers and potential buyers, leaving stockpiles of electric vehicles in limbo. This unexpected pause in government-backed support has echoed across the industry, with numerous consumer complaints surfacing.

Amid these events, there’s also the broader backdrop of the Cyprus government’s decision to reallocate funds within the national Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), aiming to stay aligned with EU financing requirements.

A Call for Dialogue

Despite the ministry’s assurances of pursuing additional funding and maintaining alignment with national energy objectives, Semio criticizes the lack of communication and urges consultation before implementing changes.

On a related note, Cyprus faces challenges in achieving its ambitious EU-mandated goal of registering 80,000 electric vehicles by 2030. The road ahead appears daunting unless a cohesive strategy is adopted.

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Cypriot Government Employment Sees Modest Growth in April

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

May 12, 2025

Total government employment in Cyprus increased by 237 persons, a rise of 0.4 per cent, in April, compared to the same month in 2024, reaching a total of 55,490 employees, according to the state statistical service.

Employment in the civil service and the security forces decreased by 1.2 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively, while the educational service saw an increase of 3.8 per cent.

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Civil Service and Educational Service Breakdown

In April 2025, the civil service employed 11,960 permanent staff, 4,141 employees with contracts of indefinite duration, 1,458 with contracts of definite duration, and 5,798 hourly paid workers.

Permanent employees represented the highest proportion of the civil service workforce at 51.2 per cent, while employees with contracts of definite duration made up the lowest proportion at 6.2 per cent.

In the educational service, there were 12,461 permanent employees, 947 with contracts of indefinite duration, 4,824 with contracts of definite duration, and 141 hourly paid workers.

Permanent staff formed the majority of the educational workforce at 67.8 per cent, while hourly paid workers accounted for only 0.8 per cent.

Security Forces Breakdown

Within the security forces, 8,430 were permanent employees, 4,304 held contracts of indefinite duration, 267 were on definite-duration contracts, and 759 were hourly paid workers.

Permanent employees again made up the largest group in the security forces at 61.3 per cent, with definite-duration contracts representing just 1.9 per cent.