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President Claudia Sheinbaum Unveils Olinia: A Breakthrough in Mexican Electric Vehicle Innovation
In a landmark announcement, President Claudia Sheinbaum introduced Olinia, Mexico’s first electric mini vehicle manufacturer, a project aimed at revolutionizing urban mobility with sustainable, accessible, and Mexican-engineered solutions.
“This vehicle must be safe, electric, compatible with standard outlets, and predominantly made with Mexican components to strengthen our production chain,” emphasized Sheinbaum during the unveiling.
The initiative is spearheaded by researchers from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM), with the government allocating 25 million pesos (approximately $1.4 million) in 2025 to support the project. Private-sector collaborations are expected to follow, particularly with companies specializing in electric motor technology.
Sheinbaum highlighted plans to establish regional assembly plants to lower costs and ensure the vehicle’s affordability across the country. “The government is backing the design phase, but production and assembly will involve various regions. This decentralized approach will make Olinia vehicles more accessible to all Mexicans,” she stated.
Rosaura Ruiz Gutiérrez, Secretary of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation, described Olinia—which means “movement” in Nahuatl—as a pivotal milestone for the nation. She stressed its potential to catalyze Mexico’s scientific, technological, and industrial sectors while fostering public-private partnerships.
The vehicles will offer three designs tailored for personal use, neighborhood mobility, and last-mile deliveries, with prices ranging from 90,000 to 150,000 pesos ($5,000 to $8,000). Financing plans will make them attainable for a broader audience.
The modular platform under development will standardize key components like the chassis, motor, drivetrain, and battery, allowing flexibility in body design. Powered by lithium batteries, Olinia vehicles will be zero-emission, silent, and significantly cheaper to operate than their gasoline-powered counterparts.
The Mexican government’s support extends to facilitating the transfer of technology from academic institutions to commercial production. Roberto Capuano Tripp, leader of the Sustainable Development Project for the State of Mexico, Hidalgo, and Mexico City, underscored the importance of aligning research and production efforts.
The IPN, under the leadership of Arturo Reyes Sandoval, will play a central role in ecosystem development. This includes market analysis, business planning, and proposals for light vehicle plants, ensuring Mexico emerges as a competitive player in the global electric vehicle industry.
“Olinia represents the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and accessibility,” Capuano remarked. “We are not just creating vehicles; we are building a movement towards a greener, more efficient future for Mexico.”
As the project advances, Olinia is set to redefine urban mobility, championing Mexican ingenuity while addressing environmental and economic challenges.
