US EditionFatigued Afghan taxi drivers take novel approach to AC
KANDAHAR CITY, AFGHANISTAN, JUL 10 – Taxi drivers in Kandahar spend about $43 on roof-mounted coolers powered by batteries or solar panels to spread cold air throughout their vehicles during intense heat waves.
- Afghan taxi drivers in Kandahar use custom coolers and solar-powered devices to cope with extreme heat exceeding 40°C in 2025.
- The increased heat and failing AC systems in aging vehicles, often imported from neighboring countries, led drivers to seek affordable cooling solutions starting three to four years ago.
- Drivers like Gul Mohammad pay about 3,000 Afghanis for custom coolers connected to batteries, while technician Murtaza notes growing demand for these alternatives due to many cars lacking AC.
- Abdul Bari explained that standard ACs cool only the front seats, but the custom coolers distribute air throughout, and some systems use roof-mounted solar panels to power the units.
- These homemade devices demonstrate how drivers actively address worsening climate conditions and inadequate vehicle infrastructure in one of the world’s poorest, heat-vulnerable countries.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Broken AC? Afghanistan's taxi drivers have a solution. The unconventional trick saves both themselves and their passengers from the extreme heat, which is hitting the country harder and harder due to climate change.
Fatigued Afghan taxi drivers take novel approach to staying cool
Afghan taxi drivers have cobbled together a creative solution to spare them and their passengers from the sweltering heat. In southern Afghanistan’s Kandahar city, where temperatures easily exceed 40 degrees Celsius, blue taxis can be spotted with an air conditioning (AC) unit strapped to the roof with an exhaust hose delivering the cool air through the passenger window. “It started getting extremely hot three or four years ago. These cars’ AC s…
Fatigued Afghan taxi drivers take novel approach to AC - Islamabad Post
KABUL, JUL 12: Broken air conditioning? Afghan taxi drivers have cobbled together a creative solution to spare them and their passengers from the sweltering heat. In Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan where temperatures easily exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), blue taxis can be spotted with an air conditioning unit strapped to the roof with an exhaust hose delivering the cool air through the passenger window. “It started getting ext…
In heatwaves, every driver is very happy to have air conditioning in his car. But when it doesn't stop to break down, the situation can quickly become problematic. Afghan taxi drivers have found the solution by simply installing an air conditioner on their roof. Explanations. The same air conditioning in the car as at home In recent years, Afghanistan has been suffering particularly from global warming and poverty. Taxis, all day driving, have d…
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