Sheinbaum drives Olinia, Mexico's first electric vehicle priced at $8,600

President Claudia Sheinbaum has officially presented and driven Olinia 1, marking a significant milestone as Mexico's first domestically produced electric vehicle. The car is now entering its production phase, with a projected sale price starting at 150,000 pesos, approximately $8,600 USD per unit. Olinia 1 is slated to begin circulating in the summer of 2027.

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Olinia represents much more than a vehicle electric. It is the vision of a Mexico that leverages the intelligence and creativity of its youth to fully integrate into the digital and technological development transforming the world, following our own path.

The unveiling took place at the Military Air Base of Santa Lucía in the State of Mexico. Sheinbaum highlighted the vehicle's significance, stating, "Olinia represents much more than an electric vehicle. It is the vision of a Mexico that leverages the intelligence and creativity of its youth to fully integrate into the digital and technological development transforming the world, following our own path." She emphasized that this project demonstrates Mexico's potential to move beyond being a mere recipient of investment and to generate its own knowledge, technology, and value.

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It is the demonstration that Mexico can go beyond being a simple recipient of investments, it can generate knowledge, develop technology, design solutions, create value from our own capabilities and that is powerful.

The Olinia 1 is described as a compact vehicle capable of accommodating up to six passengers and is adapted for wheelchair users. It features a 14.7-kilowatt battery, offering an autonomy of over 125 kilometers per charge. With a top speed of 50 kilometers per hour, its operational cost is remarkably low at 49 centavos (about $0.028 USD) per kilometer, which is five times less than that of a gasoline-powered car. This translates to potential annual savings of up to 50,000 pesos ($2,850 USD) on fuel.

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It is the seed of an industry at the country level that can grow from below, driven by the knowledge, creativity and work of thousands of Mexicans.

Roberto Capuano Tripp, coordinator of the Olinia Project, announced that a cargo version, Olinia Cargo, designed for merchandise transport, will be presented next month. The project is currently being developed at the Olinia design center within the Technological Institute of Puebla, where over 100 individuals are involved in the car's development. The Mexican government previously stated in August 2025 that the first fleet of Olinia vehicles would be ready by June 2026.

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It is the seed of a mixed economy in which universities, research centers, the State and the creative initiative of society collaborate to develop new technologies, solutions and capabilities at the country level.