Olinia’s evolution and growth is not limited to a single car. In fact, no one expected this initiative to reach a higher level and outside, able to present not only one, but several models.
Given the need for electric cars to reduce pollution levels, Mexico sought a solution. Although Tesla decided not to make the giant plant planned, and Chinese electric cars have invaded the country, the question remains: how to compete and have accessible vehicles? The answer is Olinia, a totally Mexican project that seeks to be the change that is needed: compact, electric cars, comfortable, and very low cost. This avoids dependence on fossil fuels.
The new models will have a cost between 90,000 and 150,000 pesos (approximately 4,500 and 7,500 dollars), a fairly competitive price in a market like the Mexican, where most cars exceed these figures.
The next Olinia cars will be developed in three models, each focused on covering specific needs of the Mexican population. The models are:
– Personal vehicle: a biplaza microurban designed for short displacements and individual paths in urban areas. It will have a three-door design, compact, and easy to maneuver in congested cities.
– “Neighborhood mobility” vehicle: this model will be slightly larger, will have five doors, and will be approved to transport up to four people. It is designed for family or collective uses on short journeys.
– Last mile vehicle: a small two-seater vehicle with a cargo box, ideal for fast delivery solutions in local trade. This model is aimed at the growing deliveries market, which plays a fundamental role in urban economies.
With these models, it is expected to contribute to the environment and at the same time help Mexican families. Since an electric car is not economical due to import issues and tariffs, a car totally made in Mexico is a way of competing and positioning itself. The team behind Olinia is composed of researchers from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the National Technological of Mexico, who will work on the design of the first models with an initial capital of 25 million pesos.
Each of these models will be electric, compact, safe, and connected, and can be charged in any domestic plug. The use of mostly Mexican components also reinforces the project’s commitment to industry and national economy. Although there is still no exact date, one of the initial objectives is that Olinia electric prototypes are protagonists during the 2026 World Cup.
Mexico is the seventh world producer of vehicles, but so far, it had not had a national automotive production industry. Olinia’s creation seeks to change this. In countries such as China and India, this segment sold around 1.3 million units in 2023, demonstrating a growing demand for this type of vehicle in emerging markets. Although automotive giants such as Tesla, Nissan, and Volkswagen have factories in Mexico oriented towards the North American market, Olinia’s approach is to produce accessible cars made for Mexicans by Mexicans.
With the innovation of these three models of Olinia, the figures and perspectives are encouraging so that these small electric cars find a massive reception in a country where 70% of the population lives in urban areas and performs daily routes smaller than 30 kilometers.