Chinese electric cars, scooters gain ground on the Cuban roads

HAVANA — For Cuban Yosvany Abreu, life has changed after he purchased a Chinese electric three-wheeled bike last year.

The 35-year-old man living in Marianao, a district in Havana, told Xinhua News Agency his new vehicle requires less maintenance, as it uses an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine.

"I have made a wise decision," he said. "With this electric tricycle, I am saving money because no fuel is required. This is not a trivial matter."

Thousands of Cubans across the country have started to use Chinese electric cars and scooters amid fuel shortages and tight US economic sanctions, which have dealt a heavy blow to the island country's transportation system.

Amelia Rosales, 26, owns a Chinese electric scooter and uses it for work and leisure time.

"I use this scooter to work as a delivery person for a fast-food restaurant in downtown Havana," she said. "In addition, I take my daughter to school on it in the morning."

To increase the presence of electric modes of personal transportation in the region, China's Tianjin Dongxing Industrial and Commercial Group, along with Cuban state-owned company Minerva, created Caribbean Electric Vehicles (VEDCA), a joint venture that has quickly won the island country's market.

Some 15 kilometers west of Havana, VEDCA has built an electric car and scooter factory covering an area of 9,000 square meters and employs around 60 workers. Official statistics showed that since March 2019, VEDCA has produced 2,500 electric scooters, 1,500 electric tricycles and other products with sales reaching $6 million.

It is the first joint venture of its kind between China and Cuba, Wei Yunpu, director of the Chinese company, told Xinhua.

"There are many old vehicles in Cuba, which makes it difficult for people to buy car parts," he said. "The electric cars are environmentally friendly and will help solve maintenance-related problems."

"This factory is also a new source of employment, which will very much contribute to the wellbeing of many Cuban families," said VEDCA Director General Julio Oscar Perez.

In 2023, the JV intends to increase production to 10,000 electric scooters and 10,000 electric tricycles, in addition to starting the assembly of 500 four-wheel scooters.

"The quality of our production is of paramount priority," said Reinaldo Manuel Luis, a young factory worker in VEDCA. "I feel proud to be part of this."

Xinhua