Electric tricycles have become the dominant means of transportation in Havana as fuel shortages cripple traditional transit [1, 2].
This shift reflects a critical collapse of the island's energy infrastructure. The transition to electric mobility is not a choice of convenience but a survival mechanism for workers and commuters facing a paralyzed public transport system.
The crisis intensified following the start of a U.S. oil embargo in January 2026 [3]. This policy, combined with widespread power outages, has left many residents unable to operate internal combustion engines. In response, the streets of La Habana are now filled with electric three-wheelers that serve as the primary alternative for moving people and goods [1, 2].
For some, the transition required sacrificing family assets. Eduardo Romano said he had to sell his 1950s car and buy an electric tricycle to continue working due to the fuel shortage and the embargo [4].
These vehicles provide a scalable solution to the mobility crisis. Some models can carry up to eight passengers [5] and offer a range of approximately 80 km on a single charge [5]. While most rely on the grid, some tricycles are equipped with solar panels to mitigate the impact of blackouts [6].
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport said the electric vehicles allow people to move despite the lack of fuel [7]. However, the reliance on electricity remains a vulnerability. Ana Pérez said massive blackouts are forcing the population to seek mobility alternatives that do not depend on the traditional electrical grid [8].
The rise of these vehicles marks a departure from the iconic classic cars typically associated with the Cuban capital. As the energy crisis persists, the electric tricycle has evolved from a niche novelty into the backbone of the city's daily commute [1, 2].
“The streets of La Habana are now dominated by these electric vehicles.”
The rapid adoption of electric tricycles in Havana illustrates a grassroots adaptation to systemic state failure. By pivoting to low-energy, high-capacity vehicles, Cubans are bypassing a crippled fuel supply chain and a failing power grid. This trend suggests that the long-term urban landscape of Havana is shifting away from automotive dependence toward decentralized, electric micro-mobility as a necessity of economic survival.
