Afghan Taxi Drivers Combat Fatigue with Innovative AC Solution
Afghan Taxi Drivers Beat the Heat with Roof‑Mounted Coolers
In Kandahar, where spring temperatures regularly climb above 40 °C (104 °F), taxi operators have improvised a simple cooling system to shield themselves and their riders from the blistering heat.
Custom Roof‑Mounted AC Units
- Gul Mohammad, a 32‑year‑old driver, spent 3,000 Afghanis ($43) on a custom cooler that plugs into his taxi’s battery. He refills the unit with water as needed.
- A fellow operator, 28‑year‑old Abdul Bari, explains that this rooftop cooler distributes cool air throughout the cabin, unlike built‑in ACs that only cool the front seats.
Solar‑Powered Additions
Some taxis have mounted solar panels on their roofs to power their cooling devices, allowing drivers to rely on sunlight rather than the electrical grid.
Climate‑Change Pressures in Afghanistan
- Afghanistan, one of the world’s poorest nations, is especially vulnerable to climate change, with heat waves and droughts becoming more frequent.
- Technician Murtaza, 21, reports that the demand for rooftop coolers has grown over the past two or three years because many local cars originally lacked air conditioning.
Passenger Testimonials
Passenger Norullah, 19, shared how a cooler makes the ride more tolerable during the hot afternoons. He praised the drivers for providing a much-needed relief.
Riders Celebrate the Innovation
Passengers regard the improvised cooling technology as a welcome solution to the harsh summer weather, highlighting the resilience of Afghan taxi drivers in a climate‑impacted country.
