Anna Polyviou
Cyprus’ shift to electric cars is picking up speed, with new data showing more drivers making the switch. According to the Cyprus Statistical Service, electric vehicle registrations climbed from 3.8% to 4.8% between January–October 2024 and the same period in 2025. Hybrids jumped even more sharply, rising from 36.7% to 44.1%.
Riding that wave is Chinese automaker BYD, which entered the Cyprus market just five months ago and has already logged 120 fully electric cars and 48 “Super Hybrids” based on its DM-i plug-in technology. BYD now holds one-third of the EV and PHEV market, up from roughly 27% just a month earlier.
A new subsidy scheme, and a faster one
To push electric mobility even further, the Transport Ministry has launched its fourth round of EV subsidies under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, with one key change: the old, slower “prove-your-purchase-before-we-pay-you” method is gone.
Instead, subsidies will now be verified simply after the vehicle is registered, speeding up approvals and helping ensure all funds are used.
Applications open online only from December 5 at 09:00 until December 9 at 09:00. If demand exceeds the available grants (it usually does), a lottery will decide who gets in.
BYD expands its range, and slashes prices
BYD currently sells five models in Cyprus, including its entry-level Dolphin Surf, which can drop to €11,990 after the combined state subsidy and the Alpan Group’s “Electric Bonus.” The company says it keeps a sizeable stock of ready-to-deliver cars to help buyers take advantage of subsidies right away, one reason its sales have climbed so quickly.
And more models are coming:
- ATTO 2 (EV) — January 2026
- SEALION 5 DM-i (Super Hybrid SUV) — January 2026
- ATTO 2 DM-i (Super Hybrid) — Q1 2026
The DM-i plug-in hybrids offer more than 1,000 km of range and are promoted as “electric vehicles without the range anxiety.”
The bigger challenge: everything around the car
BYD Cyprus marketing manager Christina Gikaki says the biggest hurdles for electric mobility aren’t the cars themselves; it’s the ecosystem around them.
“We’re talking about renewable energy, energy storage, feeding electricity back into the grid, and of course charging infrastructure,” she says. “All these parts have to work together if consumers are going to feel confident going electric.”
She stresses that long-term, stable government incentives are vital. Constant changes to subsidy schemes, she says, shake consumer trust and slow down the market.
Charging in Cyprus: easier than people think
Despite the complaints you sometimes hear, Cyprus is actually ideal for EVs. Short travel distances and good weather mean lower battery drain, and, in many cases, drivers can simply charge at home and go through their daily routes without using a public charger at all.
Alpan Group is also exploring ways to expand charging infrastructure but says it needs active state support and competitive energy pricing to make it viable.
BYD is also investing in ultra-fast charging technology, promising up to 400 km of range in five minutes on compatible networks, a glimpse of what future refueling could look like.
Trust matters, especially after the sale
Beyond cost and convenience, BYD says after-sales service remains a major factor in convincing drivers to go electric. Alpan Group has been expanding its facilities, training programs, and certified technical teams to ensure buyers know their vehicles will be supported long after they leave the showroom.
For now, one thing is clear: Cyprus’ electric transition is no longer stuck in first gear. With rising registrations, new subsidies, and more models hitting the market, the island’s shift toward cleaner mobility is gaining real momentum.
*Read the Greek version here.
