Fuel for combustion-powered engines has for years been scarce in Cuba - prompting hours-long or sometimes days-long queues. And a five-fold price hike earlier this year means a typical 40-liter . Contact online >>
Fuel for combustion-powered engines has for years been scarce in Cuba - prompting hours-long or sometimes days-long queues. And a five-fold price hike earlier this year means a typical 40-liter
Between 2020 and 2022, the last year for which figures are available, Cuba-based companies produced more than 23,000 electric vehicles, according to official data. Since then, demand has grown...
While electric scooters and bikes offer a more economical option than traditional vehicles, the initial cost can still be prohibitive for many Cubans. The government''s decision to authorize imports of more expensive electric cars may cater to a niche market of new business owners.
HAVANA — The capital city of Cuba is famed for the colorful vintage cars that can still be seen puttering around its streets and are a popular subject for visitors'' photographs. But these days, Cubans are just as likely to be found getting around quickly and quietly on electric scooters made with Chinese parts.
Explore Havana''s electric makeover and the role of e-bikes and EVs in transforming the city''s transportation system. Learn about the economic challenges and benefits of this transition.
HAVANA—Havana is famed for the colorful vintage cars that can still be seen puttering around its streets and are a popular subject for visitors'' photographs.
"Electric motorcycles are solving a lot of problems in Cuba, they are already used for almost everything," explains Omar Cortina, a Cuban hotel worker who recently purchased his first electric vehicle—a lime-green scooter powered by a lithium battery.
Until recently, Cuba''s roads had changed little in the six decades since former leader Fidel Castro''s 1959 revolution: the old cars puffing sooty exhaust, rutted pavement, light traffic.
Now, electric vehicles are proving a godsend for many in the communist-run nation.
Between 2020 and 2022, the last year for which figures are available, Cuba-based companies produced more than 23,000 electric vehicles, according to official data. Since then, demand has grown, alongside an economic crisis that has slashed both fuel supply and public transportation.
Fuel for combustion-powered engines has for years been scarce in Cuba, prompting hours-long or sometimes days-long queues. And a five-fold price hike earlier this year means a typical 40-liter tank of gas costs more than a state-worker''s average monthly wage, far out of reach for most.
Public transportation is hardly more palatable.
Buses in the Havana area are far fewer—and more crowded and uncomfortable—than in previous years. And half the routes to points outside the capital have been eliminated this year, according to state-run media, as fuel and spare parts dwindle.
Those dire circumstances have helped drive demand for the products of newly formed companies like Caribbean Electric Vehicles (Vedca), said company director Julio Oscar Perez.
The firm, a joint venture between Chinese investor Tianjin Dongxing Industrial and Cuban state bicycle manufacturer Minerva, has produced more than 2,000 scooters, bikes and mini-tricycle trucks in Cuba with Chinese parts.
"I think we''re reaching a tipping point," Perez said in an interview.
"That is, not just seeing (electric vehicles) as an alternative to mobility, but also (solving) other problems that exist because of fuel limitations."
On a recent weekday visit to the company''s plant outside Havana, some of Vedca''s 64 employees assembled plastic parts, soldered wires and tightened bolts in an orderly assembly line, while others greeted customers arriving for pick-up.
The company, Perez said, has also begun testing a new electric tractor and experimenting with other electric-powered heavy machinery.
Other small domestic companies sell electric bikes, ranging from makeshift to upscale. And the government recently authorized imports of far pricier electric vehicles.
Imports of automobiles from the neighboring United States have soared to $24.6 million thus far in 2024, according to the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, with a growing class of new business owners attracted to more luxurious electric and hybrid options, including Teslas.
Those who can afford such perks are still few, however.
"In a few years, all transportation will be electric," he predicted before zooming off on his new purchase.
Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world''s largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the world''s media organizations, industry events and directly to consumers.
Choose from our print and digital options and treat yourself or someone special. Print subscribers enjoy free delivery within Metro Manila and free access to our premium site and app.
Cuba''s capital, Havana, is famous for its colorful vintage cars. They fill the streets and are often popular subjects for visitors'' photographs.
"Electric motorcycles are solving a lot of problems in Cuba, they are already used for almost everything," said Omar Cortina. He is a Cuban hotel worker who recently purchased his first electric vehicle -- a lime-green scooter powered by a lithium battery.
Until recently, Cuba''s roads had changed little in the years since former leader Fidel Castro''s 1959 revolution. Old cars with old exhaust systems drove along uneven roads.
About Havana electric vehicle costs
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Havana electric vehicle costs have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Havana electric vehicle costs for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Havana electric vehicle costs featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
