An ingenious invention amidst the energy crisis has captured attention on social media, after it was discovered that a Cuban managed to adapt a Fiat Polski car to run on charcoal as fuel, in response to the severe gasoline shortage affecting the country.
Videos shared on the internet show the car equipped with a system installed in the rear that generates fuel gas from charcoal, a technology known as gasifier or biomass gasification.
The initiative is credited to the Cuban Juan Carlos Pino, who reportedly modified the car so that its engine runs on gas produced by burning charcoal. The images were shared initially by his wife, Odalys Almeida, and later discussed by users on social media who highlight the ingenuity behind the adaptation.
The system used is not new; recall El Mochero Ausente. During World War II, many vehicles in Europe were modified to run on gas generators due to the shortage of gasoline and diesel. This mechanism converts solid materials like wood or coal into a combustible gas —known as producer gas or synthesis gas— that can power conventional internal combustion engines.
Although these systems can function, they have several limitations. They require constant maintenance, reduce engine power, and take up additional space in the vehicle to accommodate the gas generator. However, they have historically been used as an emergency solution in contexts of energy crisis.
The case of the Fiat has been interpreted by many as a demonstration of the ingenuity with which Cubans attempt to cope with fuel shortages, a situation that has impacted both public and private transportation, as well as numerous economic activities on the island.
At the same time, the use of technologies that became popular over eight decades ago highlights the seriousness of the energy challenges facing the country, where the lack of fuel continues to affect the daily lives of millions of citizens.
Images of the vehicle in operation continue to circulate on social media, sparking surprise and comments about the creativity of the population to survive amid the crisis.
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