Amid a profound national energy crisis, with daily blackouts affecting the entire island, the Cuban government is “advancing” with an ambitious electric transport project in the province of Sancti Spíritus, where five “ecomobiles” are already in circulation as part of a sustainable mobility pilot plan.
According to a post on Facebook by Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, starting at the end of 2023, the capital municipality of Sancti Spíritus began to implement the Ecotaxi service, operated by the Military Industrial Company “Coronel Francisco Aguiar Rodríguez”, as an ecological alternative to the collapsed traditional transportation system.
Mobility without fossil fuels... but with power outages
The new vehicles, powered by electric energy, are part of a broader plan that foresees the manufacture of 50 minibuses, of which 23 will soon be incorporated in Sancti Spíritus and another 10 in the municipality of Trinidad, still in the production phase.
Paradoxically, the push for this mode of transportation occurs in a context of chronic electricity generation deficits, with more than 1000 MW of daily outages reported in the official reports of the National Electric Power System (SEN), which completely calls into question the practical viability of these projects in the short term.
Service details
The service will be structured into four routes: three in Sancti Spíritus and one in Trinidad, with strategic stops at key points such as the José Martí Pérez Pediatric Hospital and the Camilo Cienfuegos Provincial Hospital. Each minibus has a capacity for 11 passengers and will be able to make up to 10 trips daily, allowing for the transportation of approximately 120 people per vehicle each day, the minister explained.
The peak demand hours have already been identified: from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., time slots that also coincide with the most critical periods for power outages, which could jeopardize the continuity of service if a stable charging network is not available.
In his post, Rodríguez Dávila detailed that the ticket price will be 10 Cuban pesos, with routes ranging between 4 and 5 kilometers, making it an economical option for the population.
Solar energy and future sustainability
As part of the project, work is also being done on the installation of charging stations powered by photovoltaic solar panels, which would reduce the dependence on the national power grid and ensure operability even during blackouts.
The plan is backed by the Public Transportation Development Fund, which is funded by taxes from the sale of motor vehicles in the country, and was officially presented during the 2023 International Transport and Logistics Fair.
Between efficiency and symbolism
Cuba does not rank among the countries responsible for global climate change, but it has historically defended its commitment to reducing emissions. The push for electric transportation aligns with that discourse, although its real impact will depend on the country's ability to ensure stable electricity and minimum operational conditions, elements that seem quite complicated given a government marked by poor decisions.
The immediate challenge is not only ecological or technological but also energetic and structural, in an island where conventional public transportation continues to collapse and mobility is a luxury for many.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Production of Electric Minibuses and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the objective of the electric minibus project in Cuba?
The project aims to provide an ecological alternative to the collapsed traditional transportation system in Cuba, through the implementation of electric minibuses in the provinces of Sancti Spíritus and Trinidad. This pilot plan is part of an effort to adopt more sustainable mobility amidst a significant energy crisis.
How does the energy crisis affect the operation of electric minibuses?
The energy crisis in Cuba, characterized by constant blackouts and a chronic deficit in electricity generation, seriously jeopardizes the viability of the electric minibus project, as its operation depends on a stable charging network that is currently not guaranteed.
What measures are being taken to ensure the operation of electric minibuses during power outages?
To reduce the dependence on the national electrical grid, charging stations powered by photovoltaic solar panels are being installed, which would allow the minibuses to remain operational even during power outages.
Why is the electric minibus project critical in the current situation in Cuba?
The project is critical because it represents an attempt to modernize public transportation in a country facing a collapse of its energy infrastructure and a deteriorated conventional transportation system. However, its success relies on the government's ability to overcome the current energy limitations.
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