The Association of Importers of Motor and Electric Vehicles (SEMIO), a member of OEB, expresses strong concern and disappointment about the limited budget and the shortcomings presented by the new sponsorship scheme for electromobility. The plan came into force on 30/6/2025, with an available budget of €2.5 million.
SEMIO underlines that the available funds are only sufficient to serve a very small number of citizens who are interested in acquiring an electric or hybrid plug-in vehicle.
Following an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors, the Association submits specific recommendations for a substantial and effective transition to electromobility:
- Budget increase: Strengthening state funding for electromobility, in order to make it possible to achieve the target of 80,000 registered vehicles in the Republic of Cyprus with zero emissions, by 2030.
- Ensure continuity in sponsorship schemes: Create a permanent and stable grant mechanism, without constant interruptions and restarts, which delay the transition to green mobility.
- Inclusion of commercial vehicles (category N1): Re-inclusion of factory commercial vehicles (up to 3,500 kg gross weight) in the eligible categories for the acquisition of electric vehicles, as these vehicles also record high emissions.
- Extension of registration schedule: Extension of the suffocating vehicle registration schedule until 31/10/2025. It is a tight and pressing timetable that will lead to the failure of the plan, as happened with the previous program that was prematurely suspended last April to reopen in July.
- Emphasis on new vehicles: Subsidy to be given only to new vehicles, which adopt the latest trends in technology and are more efficient than used vehicles. It is emphasized that many used vehicles have already received a state subsidy in the country of their first registration, which leads to unequal treatment of vehicles of first registration in Cyprus, as a double subsidy arises.
SEMIO respects the needs of citizens and recognizes that not everyone has the opportunity to acquire a new vehicle. He points out, however, the need for only vehicles that meet European safety standards to circulate on Cypriot roads. The successful transition to electromobility cannot be based on rough and incomplete plans, but requires stability, consistency and substantial support from the State.
