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While the country is currently going through a period of fuel shortages due to the resumption of American sanctions, the queues at the gas pump are getting longer. But in recent years, many Cubans have been traveling on electric motorcycles. A trend that is changing the automotive landscape of Cuba, where old American cars now drive alongside two modern, electric wheels.
from our correspondent in Havana,
Little by little in the streets of Havana, the characteristic noise of motors a thousand times repaired from old motorcycles is replaced by another more discreet one… That of the electric motor of a scooter or a motorcycle. Electric motorcycles appeared on the island in 2013 and were quickly adopted by the Cubans.
In recent months, with the fuel shortage caused by the US sanctions [against the ships transporting Venezuelan oil to Cuba], the happy owners of these small electric vehicles are smiling at the long queues at the pump. petrol.
Young Ricardo Rodriguez rides a brand new black motorcycle that looks like a real motorcycle. Even a fake petrol tank cap. All in plastic. " The motorcycle really makes my life easier when it comes to transportation ," he explains. We are not responsible for this situation but it is true that it is very difficult to get around here, so this motorbike is really a great help, knowing that you can go wherever you want! The price compared to a gasoline motorcycle is much lower, it's simple. And it's really a relief to know that I don't have to take the bus! "
Two motorcycles exported per year
A cost without common measure with what the Cubans used to pay, not only for gasoline but more generally for a vehicle. Since the 1959 revolution, electric motorcycles and scooters have been the first vehicles to be authorized for import into Cuba. There are many Cubans, here called las mulas , the mules who go shopping in Panama, Mexico or Miami, from where they send, tax free, two scooters per year. Luis Angel, on his scooter which does not exceed 50 km / h, stops for a few minutes to discuss. " This motorcycle was sent to me by my mother from abroad, " he tells us. To buy an electric motorcycle, here, it takes between 1800 and 2000 dollars approximately. "
For several weeks, the State has also been marketing these two electric wheels, only in foreign currency. An economic strategy on the part of the government to absorb the currencies which left the island and replenish its coffers.
For young Cubans, this new mode of transport allows them to be more independent. “ For a woman, it's not easy to carry weights but I can load things on the bike when I need to go shopping or anything, explains Yusleidys Cardoso, in his thirties with his daughter 6 years old at the back of the scooter. I no longer depend on a man who has a car. I depend on myself, and I am a single mother, I go where I want with my daughter, I take her to her English lessons, I will go shopping, I will go how far the battery can bring! "
Electric motorcycle clubs
It is currently estimated that more than 200,000 electric motorcycles are driven in Cuba.
With this massive arrival on Cuban roads, the police now require the wearing of a helmet, a driver's license and soon to register their vehicle. If electric motorcycles and scooters solve above all a transport problem, the ecological argument is not neglected. Osdanys Fleites, taxi driver, created the Electric Motorcycle Club Cuba, which already has more than 80 members. “ Before, the majority of planes were petrol motorcycles, Russian, American, Czech motorcycles, but with the change of generation, renewable energies, new motorcycles and new technologies, we wanted to change our motorcycles. It's good for the ozone layer and the environment. "
And on weekends, the members of the Havana electric motorcycle clubs come together to parade and organize citizen actions in favor of the environment, as far as the battery of scooters can take them! Batteries recharged using low-cost electricity, 100% produced in Cuba by power plants.