由于长期的燃料短缺和电网崩溃，古巴民众广泛采用由中国制造并加装太阳能电池板的电动三轮车作为主要交通工具 [1]。这些车辆不仅用于货物运输和替代公交服务，还帮助人们在电力供应不足的情况下维持日常出行和经济活动 [1]。尽管价格高昂且充电依赖太阳能，这种模式已成为古巴应对能源危机的普遍解决方案 [1]。
目前，古巴仅能生产约 40% 所需的燃料 [1]。受此影响，3 月下旬仅有 1 艘油轮抵达古巴，而此前每月约有 8 艘油轮到达该国 [1]。此外，美国于 1 月威胁对向古巴售油的国家征收关税 [1]。
电动三轮车的购置成本在 2,000 至 4,000 美元之间，安装太阳能电池板的投资约为 500 美元 [1]。运营方面，乘坐这些车辆的费用约为 500 古巴比索（不到 1 美元）[1]。相比之下，国家工人的平均月薪约为 10 美元，私营部门员工的平均工资则约为 40 美元 [1]。
Amid long-standing fuel shortages and grid collapses in Cuba, residents have widely adopted electric three-wheelers manufactured in China and equipped with solar panels as their primary mode of transportation [1]. These vehicles serve dual purposes: transporting goods and substituting for public bus services to maintain daily mobility and economic activity despite insufficient power supplies [1]. Although the units are expensive—costing between $2,000 and $4,000—and rely on solar charging which requires an additional investment of approximately $500 for battery installation [1], this model has become a common solution to Cuba's energy crisis [1].
The economic context driving this shift is stark: the Cuban state currently produces only about 40% of its required fuel needs [1]. In late March, just one oil tanker arrived in Cuba compared with roughly eight per month previously [1], following threats from the United States in January to impose tariffs on nations selling oil to Cuba [1]. To navigate these constraints, ride fares for solar-powered tricycles are set at approximately 500 Cuban pesos (less than $1), a rate significantly lower than average wages where state workers earn about $10 monthly and private sector employees around $40 [1].