Scooters made with Chinese parts are becoming increasingly popular in Cuba

HAVANA — Havana, the capital of Cuba, is famous for its old vintage cars, which still roam the streets and are a popular subject for tourists' cameras. But nowadays a new and modern change is being seen on the streets of Havana - electric scooters and bikes.

Cubans have started adopting electric vehicles, changing the scene of Havana's streets. "Electric motorcycles are solving a lot of problems in Cuba," says hotel employee Omar Cortina, who recently bought a lime-green electric scooter.

In Cuba, the streets had not changed much since the 1959 revolution. Old cars, smoke-filled streets and rough pavements were common sights. But now, electric vehicles are proving to be a boon, especially amid the fuel crisis.

According to official data, between 2020 and 2022, Cuba-based companies have manufactured more than 23,000 electric vehicles. A surge in demand and the economic crisis have further accelerated this transition. A shortage of fuel for combustion-powered engines in Cuba has further fueled the demand for electric vehicles.

The public transport situation is also worrisome. Buses in the Havana area are too few and overcrowded. Half the routes to destinations outside the capital have been eliminated this year due to a shortage of fuel and spare parts.

Demand for products from newly formed companies such as Caribbean Electric Vehicles (Vedca) is also growing rapidly. 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.

"We are reaching a tipping point," said Julio Oscar Perez, the company's director. He believes electric vehicles should be seen not just as an option for mobility, but also to solve other problems caused by fuel limitations.

At Vedca's plant, workers assemble plastic parts, connect wires and tighten bolts in an orderly assembly line. Perez said the company has also begun testing a new electric tractor and experimenting with other electric-powered heavy machinery.

Although few people in Cuba can afford expensive electric vehicles, sales of small and temporary electric bikes are growing. The government has also authorized the import of expensive electric vehicles such as Teslas.

For people like Omar Cortina, using an electric vehicle to get to and from work is reason enough. "In a few years, all transportation will be electric," he predicts.

This change on Cuban roads is not only beneficial to the environment but is also making people's daily lives easier. This new era of electric vehicles marks a new direction for Cuba's future.