Two Cuban content creators, known as Mario and Alieski, celebrated a significant milestone in their personal lives and the development of their YouTube channel with their followers: the purchase of their first electric vehicle, a Chinese tricycle they have named "the tripilingo of the channel."
The story was documented step by step in an extensive and emotional video, in which the YouTubers joyfully and excitedly recount how they were able to acquire the vehicle, thanks to the financial support of two of their subscribers from the United States.
The purchase not only represents an improvement in their quality of life, but also an essential tool to continue producing content amid the transportation difficulties they face in Cuba.
The electric tricycle, or tripilingo, was purchased thanks to a donation from Maricela and Julio, a couple of subscribers who have been following the channel's adventures for some time. After learning that the creators were saving to acquire their own means of transportation, the couple reached out to them directly to cover the full purchase.
The cost of the tripilingo was $4,500, a significant figure in the Cuban context that, as they themselves compare, could be equivalent to the price of a home in certain areas of the country.
For these YouTubers, who are used to covering long distances on foot or paying for rented transport to move between their home, the family farm, their grandmother's house, and other locations where they film content, the tricycle represents much more than a luxury; it is a logistical, economic, and emotional necessity.
"This is not just assistance; it's a life-changing experience. We no longer have to walk under the sun, pay high transportation prices, or rent cars to get around. Now we will be able to document our adventures more comfortably and continue helping others as well," they expressed with enthusiasm in the video.
The creators also explained that the search for the vehicle was long and full of obstacles, especially because many of the electric tricycles sold in Cuba are done so through social networks, without legal backing or warranty.
During the process, they encountered multiple online scams, in which alleged sellers requested advance transfers from the United States, offering direct shipping deliveries to the country.
They offered us triplingos for $2,600, but we had to pay in advance and then supposedly they would send it from the U.S. That was a scam. We said we weren't going to make any deal without having the equipment in front of us," they warned.
Finally, they managed to finalize the purchase through an individual who had acquired it for personal use and was selling it on Facebook. With the money from the donations of their subscribers, they were able to close the deal in person and safely.
Then, the adventure to bring the tripilingo to Pinar del Río was not easy either. The YouTubers traveled by bus to Havana, where a rented cargo truck was waiting to transport the vehicle from Mariel.
The maneuvers to assemble it were complicated, the journey was filled with tension, including a malfunction in the truck's grille that nearly compromised the stability of the tricycle, and the learning process to drive it has only just begun.
"We had never handled anything. We didn't even know how to turn on the lights. But we are learning little by little, with the help of the 'canal uncle', Raudel, who has been key in this whole process," they shared amid laughter.
The arrival of the tripilingo at the family farm was met with applause and excitement from the family. The video also documents the initial reactions, test rides, adjustments to technical details, and, above all, the happiness shared with their community.
With over 80,000 subscribers on their main channel "Mario Alieski TV" and more than 6,000 on the secondary channel "Alieski Mario Blogs," the creators have managed to build a strong, empathetic, and active digital community, which has become an essential pillar in their lives.
"YouTube has been magical. We never imagined that people who don't know us in person would help us so much. This is a dream come true, but also a need met thanks to the affection of our supporters," they said, visibly moved.
Frequently asked questions about purchasing electric vehicles in Cuba
How did Mario and Alieski manage to buy their first electric vehicle in Cuba?
Mario and Alieski purchased their first electric vehicle thanks to a donation of $4,500 made by two of their subscribers from the United States. The couple of subscribers, Maricela and Julio, decided to support the Cuban YouTubers upon learning about their efforts to acquire their own means of transportation, which will allow them to improve their quality of life and continue creating content for their YouTube channel.
What difficulties did they face when buying the electric tricycle in Cuba?
During the process of purchasing the electric tricycle, Mario and Alieski encountered numerous obstacles, especially since many of these vehicles are sold through social media without legal guarantees. The YouTubers encountered various online scams, where they were asked to pay upfront without any assurance of delivery. Finally, they managed to complete the purchase safely from an individual selling it on Facebook.
Why is the electric tricycle so important to Mario and Alieski?
For Mario and Alieski, the electric tricycle represents much more than a luxury: it is a logistical, economic, and emotional necessity that significantly enhances their quality of life and facilitates content production for their YouTube channel. Before acquiring it, they had to cover long distances on foot or rely on rented transportation, which entailed high costs and challenges.
What is the context of the electric vehicle market in Cuba?
The electric vehicle market in Cuba is complex due to the lack of legal options and guarantees. Many vehicles are sold through social media, which increases the risk of scams and the difficulty of finding reliable options. Additionally, the cost of these vehicles is significant in the Cuban economic context, where it can even be equivalent to the price of a home in some areas.
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