A Cuban motorist has converted his car to run using coal instead of gasoline, addressing the severe petroleum product shortages caused by the American blockade on Venezuelan oil shipments.
In Cuba, a motorist named Juan Carlos Pino has successfully modified his car to operate using coal rather than traditional gasoline. This innovation comes as a response to significant fuel supply challenges faced across the country. Due to the United States blocking oil shipments from Venezuela since January, the availability of petroleum products in Cuba has dramatically decreased.
Mr. Pino installed a container at the back of his vehicle that serves as a converter and filter for coal. Using this setup, he has managed to drive within his community. One key benefit of this method is coal’s lower cost compared to gasoline and its relative abundance locally.
This development highlights the difficulties Cubans currently experience with energy supply and demonstrates local ingenuity in adapting to economic and political constraints. The report was sourced from GMA Integrated News, published on March 20, 2026. There are no official statements from governmental or embassy authorities on this modification.
Such adaptations spotlight the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on everyday life and transportation options in Cuba.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/balitambayan/umg/980792/isang-kotse-sa-cuba-uling-na-ang-gamit-sa-kotse-para-umandar/story/