Ecotaxis, the new three-wheeled emissions-free vehicles now in circulation on the streets of Havana will provide electrically powered taxi services on two central routes.
These EcoTaxis, a fleet of 23 orange cars in all, are not only an eco-friendly method of transportation but driven exclusively by women. The vehicles will make approximately eight complete trips per day from the National Bus Terminal to the Railroad Terminal, and from the Railroad terminal to the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, linking social and cultural sites in Old Havana and Habana Centro.
What’s it cost? It’s only 4 CUP for a ticket and the service runs from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm.
The EcoTaxis can travel approximately 100 Kilometers in distance at 45 Km/h. They have the capacity to carry six persons at a time and comply with the requirements established by the Ministry of Transportation for passenger transport.
The new taxi service to be expanded later is provided by the Number 9 Agency of the CubaTaxi company.
At the opening ceremony, the head of the Ministry of Transport (MITRANS) said the assembly of the 23 electrical vehicles, as well as the installation of the photovoltaic park, strengthens the commitment of Cuba to confront climate change under the government project known as the Tarea Vida plan.
The UNDP permanent representative in Cuba, present at the opening, said she was satisfied with the initiative, which she considered “beautiful and innovative” in the region, and explained the importance of the country’s move forward with an alternative transportation method that contributes to the Sustainable Development Objectives of the Agenda 2030 and the country’s economic development.
According to a publication on the Facebook page “Naturaleza Secreta” managed by the documentary production house Mundo Latino, the project’s main objectives are to introduce electric vehicle technology as a new mode of transportation, using renewable energy sources to offset electricity consumption and to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants in the atmosphere caused by conventional transportation.
The project includes a photovoltaic park connected to the electric network of 5 Kw/h that will deliver the energy to the network in the daytime similar to the systems’ load energy. In the morning when the country’s electric energy system has lower demand, the electric cabs will be recharged.
Nancy Lussier, Director and Vice President of Terracam and President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Canada-Cuba declared: “Our company is very happy to have participated in the project. It is important to highlight the important initiatives of the Cuban side towards renewable energies, and this is a good continuity for the Cuban drivers of CubaTaxi.”
The Canadian company Terracam International Equipment for the LUSSIER Group collaborated on the project of assembly of the EcoTaxis.
Further information on the EcoTaxis’ service and schedule can be found on the TaxiCuba website here.
David Urra is the chief marketing analyst at International Consulting & Representation Services/Cuba (IcarusCuba). He has produced market studies for a wide range of Latin American, European and U.S. clients exploring market entry possibilities in Cuba’s IT, tourism, ranching, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.
