The Union of Limassol Communities, in cooperation with 9 communities of the Limassol District, is promoting the creation of a Network of Electric Mobility in the countryside, with the first action being the installation of charging points for electric vehicles in public parking areas (in each one of them). The application for the creation of the network has been promoted for funding from the Rural Development Programme 2014 - 2020, through the Limassol District Development Company Ltd.
The preparation of a road map for pilot development at a selected number of charging points, in the Limassol district has resulted from a detailed assessment of the locations where the development of relevant infrastructure is feasible. According to the budget of the action, the costs per partner will amount to 70 thousand euro and include the fees of the Partner Coordinator, the purchase and supply of equipment for the charging points, as well as promotion and publicity of the project. It is also foreseen to create an application and mapping of the locations of the charging stations.
The objectives of the "Electro-mobility in the countryside" Cooperation Network are to promote the electric vehicle in Cyprus with respect to the environment and the reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions for a better and cleaner environment for Cyprus and society, as well as to develop charging infrastructure in the countryside and increase the number of visits to communities by electric vehicle owners, and to support a holistic mobility ecosystem.
The expected results of the action are to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points, a reduction of the environmental burden in the countryside and an increase in the awareness of the local population on energy saving issues. It should be noted that the Limassol District Union of Communities initially sent out a call for interest to all Community Councils. From the open call, interest was received from the Community Councils: Akrunda, Alectora, Apesia, Episkopi, Erimi, Kapilio, Pyrgos, Spitaliou and Finiou.
These Councils have appointed the District Community Association as Lead Partner and will work together to promote actions that have the ultimate aim of protecting the environment and the countryside. It should be noted that Cyprus, with only 57 charging points for electric cars, ranks last among all the countries of the European Union.
According to the records kept by the EAC, there is a serious shortage of charging stations for electric vehicles in the countryside. The creation of electric vehicle charging stations is an immediate need for the countryside as consumers have switched to the purchase of electric vehicles. A total of 26,462 vehicles have been registered with the Department of Road Transport from January to July 2023 according to the latest data from the Cyprus Statistical Service and out of which, 701 were electric. This is 2.65% of all new registrations.
The aim is to increase the number of electric vehicles in order for Cyprus to be compliant with its obligations to the European Union to reduce emissions by 32% compared to 2005 by 2030. The European Union and the Republic of Cyprus have set specific targets for 2025, 2030 and 2050 for the electrification of road and maritime transport and the development of charging infrastructure. In order to achieve the targets as set out in the national climate law and European policies and regulations related to electrification, efforts are needed both to maintain and increase the current growth rates of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, but also to develop clear targets.
