HAVANA -- Small electric tricycles, many adapted with solar panels, have become a primary mode of transportation for hundreds of thousands of Cubans navigating a prolonged fuel crisis and worsening blackouts. These vehicles are increasingly replacing the island nation's iconic vintage cars, which have become scarce.
The three-wheeled vehicles, often imported from China and costing between $2,000 and $4,000, are used for transporting goods and serving fixed routes previously covered by buses. While the price is prohibitive for many, some Cubans have sold their gasoline-powered cars to acquire them, while others receive them from relatives abroad or invest profits from small businesses.
Cuba's fuel situation has become dire since January, when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on oil sales to the island. Since then, only one oil tanker has arrived, a stark decrease from the approximately eight per month previously. This has led to significant disruptions in daily life, including more frequent rolling blackouts, reduced public transportation, and deeper shortages of food and medicine.
To cope with the energy crisis, many tricycle owners have fitted solar panels onto the vehicles' awnings. This allows the tricycles to recharge independently of the strained power grid, ensuring their continued operation. While the cost of adding solar panels can be around $500, owners find it a worthwhile investment that helps mitigate the challenges of fuel shortages and blackouts.
These electric tricycles, from Chinese brands like Zonsen and Jinpeng, are assembled locally under an agreement with China by the Vedca brand. They utilize gel or lithium batteries. For many Cubans, catching a ride on these tricycles, though slow and potentially uncomfortable, is preferable to walking, especially for carrying heavy items. A ride can cost about 500 Cuban pesos, a notable expense given the average monthly salary for state workers is around $10 and for private-sector employees is roughly $40.
Engineers and owners like Carlos Álvarez and Ricardo Quintero view the widespread adoption of these solar-powered tricycles as a lasting solution to Cuba's transportation and energy challenges. Quintero uses his tricycle to transport produce for his family's vegetable stand, stating, "I think this is here to stay."