The classic image of horse-drawn carriages in the Historic Center of Cartagena is about to change. On November 11, the Colombian city will incorporate 62 electric tourist cars that will definitively replace animal traction.
This step marks an environmental and social milestone, turning a centuries-old tradition into a model of sustainability and respect for life. For years, the image of coach horses symbolized both colonial charm and animal abuse.
The high temperatures, overexploitation, and the precarious conditions of the horses led to constant complaints. Now, Cartagena is betting on cruelty-free tourism, driven by innovation and ecological awareness.
Goodbye to horse-drawn carriages: from abuse to sustainable mobility
The decision comes after decades of controversy and public pressure, with animal rights defenders, environmental organizations, and civil society demanding an end to traditional carriages.
The local administration, led by Mayor Dumek Turbay, managed to complete the total replacement of the system. The new electric cars retain the colonial design but with zero-emission technology.
Manufactured in Henan, China, and assembled in Colombia, they will operate with clean and silent energy. This measure represents a leap towards sustainable tourist mobility, without giving up the cultural heritage of the walled city.
The “solar hangar”: clean energy for a tourist icon
The project includes a maintenance and charging center in the Nuevo Chambacú neighborhood. With more than 2850 square meters, the space will have 244 solar panels that will generate photovoltaic energy.
The station will be able to simultaneously charge 60 batteries, ensuring continuous operation without polluting emissions. Additionally, the vehicles will be equipped with satellite tracking systems and route control.
This infrastructure not only reinforces tourist safety but also guarantees efficient and ecological management. Cartagena thus becomes a Latin American benchmark for sustainable tourism and clean energy management.
Social justice and labor reconversion
The change not only benefits the environment and animals. The former coachmen will be responsible for driving the new electric vehicles.
They receive training in driving, maintenance, and tourist service, ensuring the continuity of their employment. This transition exemplifies a model of social justice, where modernization does not exclude workers.
The coachman trade transforms into a symbol of progress, respect, and sustainability. In this way, Cartagena demonstrates that it is possible to evolve without losing the essence of its cultural identity.
The ecological and social benefits of a city that reinvents itself
The elimination of animal traction significantly reduces methane and carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, it decreases noise pollution and improves air quality in the historic center.
The electric system also reduces operating costs and dependence on fossil fuels. On the social level, the initiative reinforces the environmental awareness of citizens and international tourism.
It projects Cartagena as a responsible destination, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Animal protection, clean mobility, and labor inclusion converge in a regional example of positive transformation.
