Mexico: NGOs demand safety standards for new Olinia electric vehicle

Mexican civil society organizations and vehicle safety experts are calling on the government to mandate minimum safety standards for the Olinia electric vehicle, a project lauded for its potential to boost urban electromobility and national industry.

While acknowledging the Olinia's promise as a low-cost urban electric vehicle with a 50 km/h speed limit and six-passenger capacity, slated for a 2027 commercialization, groups like El Poder del Consumidor and Latin NCAP insist that technological advancement must align with robust safety regulations. They are concerned that a specific regulation being considered, separate from existing standards, could compromise safety.

Stephan Brodziak of El Poder del Consumidor highlighted that even at lower speeds, the vehicle's estimated 1,300 kg weight poses risks. He urged the inclusion of features such as ABS brakes, structural protection for frontal and side impacts, three-point seatbelts for all passengers, airbags where necessary, and child seat anchors. Alejandro Furas, secretary general of Latin NCAP, emphasized that safety should not be compromised, comparing a 30 km/h impact to a fall from the first floor and a 60 km/h impact to a fall from the fifth. He cited global testing that shows the need for crash and pedestrian protection even in low-speed vehicles.

Furas also pointed out that incorporating essential safety elements would cost the manufacturer approximately $140 per vehicle, a marginal expense compared to the value of human life. He suggested that Mexico could set a global example for sustainable mobility and road safety by establishing strong regulations from the outset. Areli Carreón of the Safe Mobility Coalition added that while electrifying transport is crucial for reducing emissions, doing so without basic safety features would solve one problem while creating another. Mexico faces over 16,000 traffic-related deaths annually.