Electric Cars in Cyprus: The Most Popular EVs in 2026

Electric cars Cyprus: The Most Popular EVs on the island in 2026

Electric vehicle adoption in Cyprus has increased significantly in recent years. Government subsidies and the arrival of more affordable electric models, including those from Chinese manufacturers, have made EV ownership a more accessible option.

According to Eurostat, battery-electric cars accounted for 10.1% of brand-new car registrations in Cyprus in 2025, up from 6.6% in 2023. However, this remains below the EU average of 17.3%.

Overall, EV adoption in Cyprus is gaining momentum, although it is still in its early stages. Which brands and models are leading the shift toward electric mobility? Let's explore the most popular EVs in Cyprus, using official registration data from January-September 2026 to guide our selection.

How many electric cars were registered in Cyprus?

Cyprus recorded 1,439 electric passenger-car registrations between January and September 2026, out of 34,156 passenger cars across all fuel types. Fully electric cars therefore represented 4.2% of passenger-car registrations.

BYD and Kia lead electric passenger-car registrations

BYD recorded 377 electric passenger-car registrations, giving it just over a quarter of the electric market in this category. Kia followed with 194, while BMW took third place with 94.

Source: CYSTAT. January–September 2026. Percentages show each brand's share of new electric passenger cars registered in Cyprus.

BYD accounts for roughly one in four electric registrations

BYD’s 377 registrations put it 183 ahead of Kia. Together, the two makes recorded 571 electric passenger cars, or 39.7% of the category.

For example, the BYD Dolphin Surf starts at €20,990 before any government subsidies, making it more affordable than a comparable hybrid Toyota Yaris, which starts at €25,200.

If you're looking for a spacious family car from BYD, the SEALION 7 is worth considering. Prices start at €49,990 for the Comfort trim, while a higher-spec version costs €52,990, before subsidies. If you prefer leasing, we offer the BYD SEALION 7 Design AWD for €1,023 per month.

Kia is the close contender for BYD

Kia with its large selection of electric cars holds the second largest share of the market with 13.5% of brand-new EVs registered in Cyprus being Kia.

The brand offers cars for every use case and budget, starting from €26,900 for a compact urban SUV Kia EV2 and up to €68,500 for a massive seven-seater Kia EV9.

With such a broad lineup, Kia has something to suit almost every driver, whether it's a compact EV for daily commutes, a practical crossover for family use, or a larger SUV for longer trips. This versatility explains Kia's popularity in Cyprus, where drivers often need a car that's equally comfortable navigating busy city streets and travelling across the island.

Kia and BYD also offer excellent warranty coverage, with some differences in mileage limits. Kia provides a seven-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty, compared with BYD's six years or 150,000 km. Both brands offer eight-year battery warranties, although BYD's mileage limit reaches 250,000 km, compared with Kia's 160,000 km for 2026 models.

BMW and Tesla are close in the registration figures

BMW recorded 94 electric passenger cars, with Tesla close behind on 89. Their shares were 6.5% and 6.2%, respectively.

BMW ranks third despite its premium positioning

Cyprus is a relatively small car market, and the logistics of importing vehicles to the island can add to their cost. BMW also occupies a higher price segment than more affordable EV brands such as BYD and Kia.

Nevertheless, BMW is the third most registered electric car brand in Cyprus, showing that there's considerable demand for premium EVs on the island.

BMW offers a broad electric lineup, from compact crossovers like the iX1 and iX2 to larger SUVs and executive sedans. To illustrate the price difference, we can compare the BMW iX2 and BYD Dolphin, both belonging broadly to the compact C-segment, despite their different body styles. While the official BMW Cyprus website doesn't disclose prices, the iX2 starts at approximately €44,000 in the UK, more than twice the starting price previously quoted for the BYD Dolphin.

BMW's strong position shows that affordability isn't the only consideration for Cypriot EV buyers. The brand's premium interiors, driving experience, and selection of body styles also contributes to its appeal.

For those who prefer something other than an SUV, BMW offers electric sedans and Gran Coupé models. Among the leasing options available in Cyprus are the BMW i4 eDrive40 Gran Coupé, starting at €1,113 per month, and the BMW i5 eDrive40 Sedan, starting at €1,333 per month.

Tesla ranks fourth despite having no official dealership in Cyprus

Tesla ranks fourth among the most popular electric car brands in Cyprus, despite having no official dealership on the island. The brand has built such a strong reputation for its electric vehicles that drivers and independent dealerships continue to import them without official local representation.

However, owning a Tesla in Cyprus comes with certain risks. Without an authorised Tesla service centre on the island, serious technical issues can be difficult to resolve. Some owners have reportedly had to ship their cars abroad, including to the Netherlands, for repairs that couldn't be carried out locally.

Leasing a Tesla could be a more convenient alternative. Depending on the agreement, the leasing company may take responsibility for repairs and provide a replacement vehicle if something goes wrong. This could save you the hassle of arranging specialist servicing or shipping the car off the island yourself.

For those interested in leasing, Tesla model 3 is available in Cyprus from €840 per month.

Honorable mention: Volkswagen offers alternative family-car option

The remaining spots in the top 10 are largely occupied by premium German brands from the Volkswagen Group. Interestingly, Volkswagen itself doesn't make the list, with just 23 electric passenger cars registered in Cyprus, accounting for 1.6% of the category.

Still, Volkswagen has some interesting options for drivers looking beyond conventional family crossovers and SUVs. One of them is the Volkswagen ID. Buzz, an electric minibus that can accommodate up to seven passengers, depending on the configuration.

Its spacious interior makes it a practical choice for family trips across the island, weekend drives to remote beaches, or hobbies that require more luggage and equipment than a typical crossover can carry. Leasing offers for the ID. Buzz start at €1,006 per month.

For those who prefer a more conventional family SUV, there's the Volkswagen ID.4, available to lease from €738 per month. It offers a middle ground between two popular BYD models, providing more interior and luggage space than the compact Dolphin while costing less per month to lease than the larger SEALION 7.

Choose an electric car around your charging routine

If you're reading this because you're looking for the right electric car in Cyprus, popularity is only one part of the decision. Just as important is how the car will fit into your daily routine, especially when and where you'll charge it.

Start with where you normally park. If you have access to charging at home or work, check whether a charger can be installed and what it would cost. If you'll rely on public charging, look for stations along your usual routes and consider how often you'll need to use them.

In Cyprus, the Electricity Authority operates a public charging network through its e-charge service, with an app that lets drivers check charger availability and manage charging sessions.

Next, think about how far you typically drive. A car's advertised range is a useful reference, but actual results depend on your driving speed, weather, vehicle load and battery condition. This matters particularly if you regularly travel across the island or take longer trips away from major cities.

Finally, if you're considering a used EV, check the battery's condition and remaining warranty. If you're leasing, make sure that contract clarifies who handles battery-related issues, where repairs would take place and whether a replacement vehicle would be provided while yours is unavailable.

Find an electric car lease that fits your needs

Finding the right electric car is only half the decision. The leasing agreement should also fit your budget, driving habits and everyday needs.

Cyprus Motors & Marine makes it easy to explore available vehicles and find a leasing offer that works for you. You can browse our catalogue and choose a car you're interested in, or request a specific make and model even if it's not currently listed.

When submitting a leasing enquiry, you can also describe what you're looking for in a vehicle and contract. This might include your preferred monthly budget, kilometre allowance, driving range, lease duration, additional features or services such as insurance and maintenance.

From there, we'll take care of finding suitable offers. We'll contact leasing providers across Cyprus, share your requirements and look for options that match your needs. Once a suitable offer is found, the provider will contact you directly to discuss the vehicle, pricing and contract terms.

This way, you can explore offers tailored to your requirements without having to search for leasing companies with the right car, contact them individually, or negotiate with each one yourself.