OLINIA: MEXICO’S PUBLIC POLICY INNOVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN

MOBILITY

OLINIA: LA APUESTA DE INNOVACIÓN EN POLÍTICA PÚBLICA Y MOVILIDAD

URBANA SOSTENIBLE EN MÉXICO

Ramírez Barocio Jazmín¹, González López Clara Azucena², Chávez Navarro Yuliana³Castillo Tapia Erika Consuelo⁴,

Chocoteco Campos José Abel⁵*

https://doi.org/10.61117/ipsumtec.v9i1.439

¹Tecnológico Nacional de México /I.T. de Ciudad Guzmán, L22290588@cdguzman.tecnm.mx, https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4859-6087

²Tecnológico Nacional de México /I.T. de Ciudad Guzmán, L22290621@cdguzman.tecnm.mx, https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9254-6745

³Tecnológico Nacional de México /I.T. de Ciudad Guzmán, yuliana.cn@cdguzman.tecnm.mx, https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8120-9019

⁴Tecnológico Nacional de México /I.T. de Ciudad Guzmán, erika.ct@cdguzman.tecnm.mx, https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1354-9038

⁵Tecnológico Nacional de México /I.T. de Ciudad Guzmán, jose.cc1@cdguzman.tecnm.mx, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5925-9688

Abstract -- Urban mobility in Mexico faces challenges

such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and a lack of

affordable and safe transportation options. In 2023, the

Mexican government launched the Olinia project, the

first national company to assemble electric micro-

vehicles, as a public policy strategy to promote

sustainable and inclusive urban mobility. This article

analyzes the Olinia project at the intersection of public

policy and sustainable mobility, describing its objectives,

development methodology, initial results, and challenges.

Based exclusively on institutional speeches and media

interviews with the project’s coordinator, it examines the

elements of strategic planning, inter-institutional

collaboration, domestic technological development,

affordability, and the expected impacts of the Olinia

model. The results highlight planning focused on the first

and last mile of urban transport, the creation of a

multidisciplinary team composed of talent from national

educational institutions (IPN, TecNM, UNAM, among

others), the design of ultra-compact electric vehicles with

low cost and low energy consumption, and the adoption

of a decentralized production model unprecedented in

Mexico’s automotive industry. The discussion evaluates

the project’s strengths (government support, alignment

minivehículos eléctricos, como estrategia de política

pública para impulsar una movilidad urbana sostenible e

incluyente. Este artículo analiza el proyecto Olinia desde

la intersección entre política pública y movilidad

sostenible, describiendo sus objetivos, metodología de

desarrollo, resultados iniciales y desafíos. Basado

exclusivamente en discursos institucionales y entrevistas

en medios con el coordinador del proyecto, se examinan

los elementos de planeación estratégica, colaboración

interinstitucional, desarrollo tecnológico nacional,

asequibilidad e impactos esperados del modelo Olinia.

Los resultados destacan la planeación enfocada en la

primera y última milla de transporte urbano, la creación

de un equipo multidisciplinario con talento de

instituciones educativas nacionales (IPN, TecNM,

UNAM, entre otras), el diseño de vehículos eléctricos

ultracompactos de bajo costo y bajo consumo energético,

la adopción de un modelo de producción

descentralizado inédito en la industria automotriz

mexicana. En la discusión se evalúan las fortalezas del

proyecto (respaldo gubernamental, alineación con

necesidades locales, apropiación tecnológica nacional),

sus limitaciones (retos normativos, tecnológicos y de

mercado) y áreas de mejora. Se concluye que Olinia

representa un caso pionero de innovación en política

pública orientada a la movilidad sustentable, con

potencial de transformar la movilidad urbana en México

e inspirar iniciativas similares en economías emergentes.

with

local

needs,

and

national

technological

appropriation), its limitations (regulatory, technological,

and market challenges), and areas for improvement. It

concludes that Olinia represents a pioneering case of

public policy innovation aimed at sustainable mobility,

with the potential to transform urban mobility in Mexico

and to inspire similar initiatives in emerging economies.

Palabras Clave: colaboración interinstitucional; México;

movilidad urbana sostenible; planeación estratégica;

política pública; vehículo eléctrico.

Key words

–

electric vehicle; inter-institutional

collaboration; Mexico; public policy; strategic planning;

sustainable urban mobility.

INTRODUCTION

Mexico’s major cities face a mobility crisis characterized

by traffic congestion, high levels of air pollution, and a

shortage of affordable and safe transportation options in

peripheral areas [1]. Nearly 78% of the country’s

population lives in urban areas [2], and more than 80% of

these residents travel less than 30 kilometers per day,

according to various studies [3–5]. However, many of

Resumen -- La movilidad urbana en México enfrenta

desafíos de congestión vehicular, contaminación

atmosférica y falta de opciones de transporte asequibles y

seguras. En 2023, el gobierno mexicano lanzó el proyecto

Olinia, la primera empresa armadora nacional de

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their short-distance travel needs—such as trips within

neighborhoods or connections to mass transit systems—

are met through informal solutions like mototaxis which,

while reflecting local ingenuity, lack safety and formal

regulation [6]. At the same time, Mexico has largely

functioned as an assembler of vehicles manufactured

abroad, without producing models designed locally for its

own context [7]. The transition to electric mobility

presents an opportunity to innovate in clean and

sustainable transport solutions; however, until recently,

electric vehicles were imported, expensive, and intended

for markets very different from the Mexican one [8].

objectives, development strategy, challenges, and future

vision in the words of its leaders.

For the analysis, categories relevant to the intersection of

public policy and sustainable mobility were identified in

the sources: strategic planning, inter-institutional

collaboration, national technological development,

affordability, and expected impacts. Manual coding of

textual fragments corresponding to these categories was

performed, followed by a narrative synthesis of the

information. Since the aim was not to evaluate

quantitative data but to understand the initiative’s

orientation and scope, this qualitative method was

appropriate.

Against this backdrop, the Olinia project emerges as a

public policy initiative aimed at developing domestic

automotive technology to address urban mobility needs

in a sustainable and inclusive manner. Announced in

2023 by the federal administration, Olinia is conceived as

the first Mexican manufacturer of electric micro-

vehicles—ultracompact city-focused vehicles—designed

and built entirely with local engineering. The project

stands out for integrating sustainable mobility objectives,

such as zero local emissions and low energy

consumption, with goals related to social and economic

equity, including offering affordable prices for low-

income sectors and reducing operational costs. Likewise,

Olinia incorporates an innovative model of industrial

development based on collaboration among government,

academia, and, in a later phase, private industry,

combined with a decentralized production scheme.

This approach makes it possible to understand how Olinia

operates as a public policy project, the strategies it uses

to develop its own technology, and the obstacles and

success factors identified by its managers. The results are

presented below, organized according to the thematic

axes mentioned above.

RESULTS ANALYSIS

Vision and objectives of the Olinia project. Olinia was

conceived with the stated mission of providing zero-

emission electric mobility within reach of millions of

Mexicans. Unlike previous initiatives focused solely on

producing a vehicle [13–14], this project carries a broader

promise of social well-being: “using science and

technology to improve people’s lives” through the way

they move [12]. Its main motivation is to address unmet

mobility needs in first- and last-mile trips—short but

essential journeys that millions of people make every day,

such as taking children to school, going to the market, or

connecting to mass transit systems. Currently, these

needs are often met through informal solutions such as

mototaxis, cargo tricycles, or adapted motorcycles,

which, although inventive, lack safety, comfort, and

regulation [6].

This article examines Olinia as a case study, exploring

how the initiative brings together strategic planning,

science, and technology to translate public policy into

sustainable mobility solutions. The Introduction outlines

the challenges of urban mobility in Mexico and the

general framework of the Olinia project. The Method

section describes the analytical approach used. The

Results section presents the main findings on Olinia’s

development in terms of strategy, technology,

institutional collaboration, and progress achieved. The

Discussion assesses the project’s strengths, limitations,

and areas for improvement, situating it within the broader

context of public policy and the automotive industry.

Finally, the Conclusions discuss the potential

implications of Olinia for sustainable urban mobility and

public-sector innovation.

Olinia therefore seeks to design ultra-compact electric

vehicles specifically targeted to this widely used urban

segment, offering a safe, comfortable, and affordable

alternative to mototaxis for passenger transport, as well

as a small delivery vehicle for light urban cargo. The

strategic objective is sustainable and inclusive mobility,

combining zero local emissions with costs that remain

accessible for low-income users and operators.

METHOD

A qualitative case study of the Olinia project was carried

out based on content analysis of official primary sources.

Specifically, two YouTube videos of President Claudia

Strategic and technological planning. From the outset,

Olinia adopted a rigorous strategic planning approach to

turn its vision into reality within a defined timeframe. The

project was announced with a six-year goal to develop

Sheinbaum’s

morning

press

conferences

were

examined—one presenting the project [9] and another

reporting its progress [10]—along with two media

interviews featuring Olinia’s general coordinator,

Roberto Capuano Tripp [11–12]. These sources, provided

directly by the project’s promoters, describe Olinia’s

three

micro-vehicle

models

and

deploy

them

commercially. This schedule aligns with the duration of

the current federal administration, reflecting a clear

intention to achieve tangible results within the

government term that promotes the initiative.

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As an intermediate milestone, the project established the

goal of presenting its first functional prototype during

high-profile events. It was announced, for instance, that

in 2026, during the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup

matches hosted in Mexico, the first operational Olinia

units will be showcased to the public. Consequently, the

development timeline is accelerated compared to typical

automotive industry standards. A conventional vehicle

usually requires more than five years from concept to

production [15]; in contrast, Olinia aims to achieve a

development cycle of approximately 2.5 years for its first

model, made possible by the lower complexity of electric

micro-vehicles.

adequate for city streets but unsuitable for high-speed

highways. This clearly defines the operational scope

while reducing power requirements and overall costs. The

lithium-ion battery will provide a minimum range of 100

km per charge, far exceeding the daily distance traveled

by most urban users (typically less than 30 km) [3–5].

Because of the vehicle’s small size and light weight (≈400

kg), this range can be achieved with a relatively small

battery.

A notable feature is that the micro-vehicle can be charged

overnight using any standard household outlet,

eliminating the need for specialized fast-charging

infrastructure. Its electricity consumption is so low that it

is comparable to that of a common household appliance:

“the mini-car will consume roughly the same as a

refrigerator or a microwave,” according to the developers

[12]. This results in energy costs far lower than those of

a gasoline vehicle—and even lower than those of many

motorcycles—representing significant savings for users.

Olinia’s technological strategy is thus oriented toward

simple, efficient, and economical vehicles: powerful

enough to fulfill urban tasks, including climbing steep

slopes, yet optimized for cost and energy consumption to

maximize affordability.

The project’s central technological strategy is the creation

of a common modular vehicle platform on which

different body variants—or “shells”—can be built for the

various intended uses. Rather than designing each model

from scratch, Olinia began by developing the

foundational components—chassis, electric drivetrain,

battery, and electronics—that will serve all micro-

vehicles. Built on this shared platform are the personal-

mobility version, the neighborhood-transport version (an

improved mototaxi), and the last-mile cargo version. This

unified architecture aims to shorten development time

and reduce costs, making it easier to scale from one model

to another. These variants can be seen in Figure 1, which

illustrates the three preliminary models developed by the

project.

Inter-institutional collaboration and national capacity

building. A fundamental pillar of Olinia is the way it

brings together collaboration among government,

academia, and local talent for the development of the

project. Rather than outsourcing the design to foreign

companies, the initiative chose to “turn to the best” talent

To ensure that the vehicles respond to real user needs, the

team adopted a user-centered design process. Engineers

and designers immersed themselves in the context of

popular transport by traveling in mototaxis in several

cities and engaging extensively with drivers, passengers,

and fleet owners. This fieldwork documented operators’

long workdays (more than 10 hours), their frustrations

with breakdowns and the safety issues of current vehicles,

as well as their aspirations for improvement [11]. These

findings shape the design of Olinia, which is approached

“not from engineering but from empathy,” placing

technology in alignment with the everyday needs of

Mexican users [12].

Mexico

and

assembled

unprecedented

multidisciplinary team. This team includes specialists

from the Tecnológico Nacional de México (TecNM), the

Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), the Universidad

Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), and various

federal public research centers, all working together as a

single group. This organizational approach has been

described as an “exercise never before seen in Mexico”

[12], since academic institutions traditionally work in

isolation or only as advisors to industrial projects. In

contrast, in Olinia, distinguished professors and

researchers temporarily left their academic roles to join

the project’s engineering team full-time in a shared

location. Their levels within the National System of

Researchers (SNII) were maintained, but their full work

dedication was focused entirely on Olinia, even

relocating to the state of Puebla where the development

center was established, according to the project

coordinator [10].

Figure 1. Preliminary Olinia models for urban mobility,

neighborhood transport, and delivery.

Source. Public dissemination material from the Government of

Mexico (2025).

By mid-2023, the project had more than 70 people from

17 states across the country forming this highly qualified

technical team. The Technological Institute of Puebla

(part of the TecNM) serves as the main headquarters: it

houses Olinia’s design and engineering center, an

innovation space already in operation, with a dedicated

In terms of specifications, Olinia’s micro-cars are

conceived for fully urban use, prioritizing efficiency and

low cost rather than high performance. The maximum

speed will be limited to approximately 50–60 km/h—

building

under

construction

campus.

The

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consolidation of this headquarters was made possible

through the support of educational authorities and the

backing of the state governments of Puebla and Sonora,

significantly increases the final cost [17]. According to

the coordinator, transporting a 90,000-peso microcar

from a plant in northern Mexico to the southeast could

greatly raise its price; instead, shipping 30 or 40 vehicles

in parts inside a container and assembling them locally—

for example, in the Yucatán Peninsula—reduces

distribution costs. This “hybrid” model of production and

distribution will allow Olinia to reach various regional

markets while maintaining affordability and generating

local employment in assembly centers. Although it

requires complex logistics, the team considers it feasible

given the smaller scale of the vehicles and essential to

meeting the target price.

demonstrating

coordination

among

different

governmental levels around the project.

Inter-institutional collaboration is also reflected in the

creation of local knowledge and intellectual property.

Historically, the Mexican automotive industry focused on

manufacturing under foreign specifications, a process

limited to “tropicalizing” imported technology [7]. Olinia

reverses this logic: it starts with local needs and builds

technology from scratch that can later be adapted or

expanded, rather than adapting external technologies. The

project has been enthusiastically received by Mexican

automotive professionals, who claim that “Mexico was

long overdue for launching a project like this,” given the

expertise accumulated over decades of automotive

operations in the country [7]. In meetings with industrial

clusters and national companies, the team observed the

impressive manufacturing and auto-parts design

capabilities already present in Mexico—capabilities that

are often underutilized. This reinforces the vision that

Olinia will be a car proudly made in Mexico and opens

the possibility that, once consolidated in the domestic

market, the brand could expand internationally as a

symbol of Mexican talent and culture.

Regarding the business structure, Olinia is envisioned as

a public-private company. Initially, it is a public project

driven by the government, but with the explicit goal of

attracting private investment to scale production and

ensure long-term financial sustainability. The federal

government would be the majority shareholder at the

beginning, but private investors are expected to join,

motivated—as in any company—by the pursuit of profit.

This is considered important to instill market discipline in

the project: “we want the company to generate money for

its shareholders, among whom the main one will be the

government” [12]. Success will therefore be measured

not only in vehicles produced, but also in building a

profitable business model capable of operating beyond

public subsidies. With this aim, the team stated that the

vehicle must not exceed 150,000 pesos; “if we produce

an excellent vehicle but it costs 300,000, we will have

failed,” said the coordinator Roberto Capuano Tripp in an

interview [12], emphasizing the commitment to the cost

target.

Business model, affordability, and technological

inclusion. Since the premise of Olinia is affordable

mobility, both the business model and the production

scheme were designed to minimize the cost to end users.

The announced target price for the micro-vehicles ranges

between

90,000

and

150,000

Mexican

pesos

(approximately 5,000–8,000 USD), depending on the

version, which would position them as the cheapest

ultracompact electric vehicles in the national market [16].

To contextualize, this price range fills the gap between

motorcycles (20,000–100,000 pesos for common utility

models) and entry-level subcompact cars (around

230,000 pesos for the cheapest gasoline models). This is

a practically unattended market segment: motorized four-

wheel vehicles at this price level do not exist because,

with combustion engines, low-cost microcars would be

too polluting to be permitted under Mexican regulations.

Olinia takes advantage of this “window of opportunity”:

being electric, its micro-vehicle can be offered in this

middle-low price niche with zero emissions, filling the

gap between motorcycles and traditional cars.

In parallel, financing and insurance schemes are being

developed to facilitate the acquisition and use of the

micro-vehicles among the target population. Since

operating costs for electric vehicles are far lower than

those of gasoline vehicles—even lower than those of

many motorcycles—affordable credit options would

allow users to experience daily economic savings from

reduced fuel expenditure. Additionally, the Olinia

company plans to provide royalties to the educational

institutions that contributed to the technological

development, ensuring that commercial success also

benefits public universities and research centers. This

innovative mechanism aims to share the benefits with the

academic sector, encouraging future collaborations of

this kind.

To achieve this cost objective, a key innovation is the

decentralized production model. Unlike traditional

automakers, which concentrate all production in large-

scale plants like those of Nissan in Aguascalientes or

Volkswagen in Puebla, Olinia proposes manufacturing

the main components in a central site and then shipping

disassembled kits to regional assembly centers

throughout the country. This approach avoids

transporting finished vehicles over long distances, which

Progress to date and next steps. During its first year,

Olinia has reported significant milestones. As mentioned

earlier, the development center in Puebla was

consolidated, with dozens of engineers working on

vehicle design. In parallel, IPN and TecNM were

involved in market studies to define key aspects such as

seating capacity (2, 3, or 4 passengers) and the optimal

launch sequence for the models [12]. This analysis will

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help determine, for example, whether to begin with the

personal-mobility vehicle, the neighborhood-transport

version (community-taxi type), or the delivery version,

depending on which presents greater demand and

commercial feasibility.

For this reason, the project is working together with

government authorities to create an appropriate

regulatory framework that allows these urban electric

micro-vehicles to be licensed and operated as a distinct

vehicle class. This includes defining safety standards—

such as whether helmets will be required and specifying

minimum equipment—and establishing circulation

restrictions. It is expected that, similar to motorcycles,

these vehicles will not be allowed on high-speed

controlled-access roads. Regulatory acceptance will be a

decisive factor for the successful rollout of Olinia and

highlights the importance of aligning public-policy

regulation with technological innovation.

On the technical front, the team plans to build a prototype

fleet of at least five operational units for demonstration

during the inauguration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Initial commercial production is projected for May 2027,

when the first units should begin leaving the regional

assembly centers for public sale. These goals imply an

ambitious schedule, but the reported progress (developed

conceptual platform, defined brand identity, operational

facilities, etc.) suggests steady advancement.

DISCUSSION

Olinia project exemplifies an innovative public policy

intervention in the field of sustainable urban mobility.

The following discussion examines its main strengths, as

well as the limitations and challenges it must address,

while also identifying opportunities to improve its

implementation.

A symbolic but important milestone was the official

launch of Olinia’s brand identity [10]. The name derives

from olín, a Náhuatl word meaning “movement,” chosen

to reflect the core purpose of moving people with locally

developed technology while honoring the country’s

Indigenous cultural heritage. The logo was designed to

balance engineering precision and human warmth,

representing a promise of people-centered technology.

Additionally, every major project needs an icon; in

Olinia’s case, an alebrije-inspired emblem was created: a

winged hare called “Alma de Olinia,” shown in Figure 2.

The hare was selected for symbolizing practical

intelligence, adaptability, and efficient use of energy—

qualities the project identifies with—while its

unstoppable dynamism metaphorically reflects that of

Mexico. The wings, meanwhile, evoke freedom of

movement and “a new kind of flight, the flight of

innovation,” connecting with the imagery of the national

eagle but in a unique manner. This alebrije hare symbol

will be placed on all Olinia vehicles as a mark of

authenticity, quality, and a reminder of the project’s

transformative spirit. While the branding aspect is

secondary from a technical standpoint, it is important for

building an appealing public narrative and fostering

national pride around the initiative.

Strengths. Olinia benefits from several advantages that

increase its likelihood of success. First, it enjoys high-

level political and institutional support: the project is

driven by the federal government, which gives it priority

on the public agenda and access to initial resources. This

backing has facilitated intergovernmental coordination

(federal–state) and the rapid formation of the team and

infrastructure. Second, its alignment with real population

needs is a clear asset. The focus on first- and last-mile

trips and on low-income urban sectors responds to a

tangible social demand, increasing the probability of

adoption once the product becomes available. Unlike

many technological initiatives that search for a market for

their product, in this case the target market was identified

from the outset through field research, and the product is

being designed based on that market. This increases the

project’s relevance and accountability.

Third, the mobilization of national talent through inter-

institutional collaboration represents a strategic strength.

The integration of experts from IPN, TecNM, UNAM,

and public research centers into a single team has enabled

a unique transfer of knowledge and capabilities in

Mexico. This highly qualified human capital increases the

likelihood of achieving technical innovations in record

time and sets a precedent for how public-interest

technological projects can be managed. Fourth, the

emphasis on affordability and low energy consumption

gives the project a strong inclusive and sustainable

character: if Olinia succeeds in commercializing an

electric vehicle for around 100,000 pesos with operating

costs lower than those of a motorcycle, it will

democratize access to electric mobility in an

unprecedented way. This affordability, combined with its

cultural elements (a Náhuatl name, a Mexican symbol),

may generate social acceptance and a sense of belonging

among target communities—an important factor for

Figure 2. Graphic emblem used on Olinia project vehicles.

Source. Public dissemination material from the Government of

Mexico (2025).

Finally, Olinia has identified and begun addressing the

regulatory challenges inherent to introducing a new type

of vehicle. Currently, the legal category of electric micro-

vehicles does not exist in Mexican regulations [18–19].

An imported microcar must be registered as a quadricycle

or motor-cart, subject to limits on where it may circulate.

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innovation diffusion. Finally, the decision to structure

Olinia as a public-private company with a profitability

mandate introduces market discipline and long-term

viability, preventing it from becoming a fleeting

government program. If it succeeds in attracting private

investment, it will scale more rapidly, and financial risks

will not fall exclusively on the public budget.

they do not master [20]. Although project leadership has

responded by emphasizing careful planning and a

commitment to real profitability, these negative

perceptions could translate into political or business

resistance, complicating the acquisition of support,

private investment, or supply contracts.

Finally, a structural limitation is the dependency on

political-administration cycles: Olinia began under a

specific administration, and although it has been

institutionalized as a mixed enterprise, a shift in priorities

in the next government could affect its momentum.

Mexico’s history of sexennial projects highlights how

difficult it is to ensure continuity beyond the political

cycle.

Limitations. Despite its strengths, Olinia also faces

significant challenges and risks. One is the technological

and timing challenge: although the relative simplicity of

an electric micro-vehicle allows for shorter development

cycles, the timeline remains tight (2–3 years for a

prototype and around 4 years for mass production). The

automotive industry is complex even at small scale, and

there is a risk that delays or technical difficulties—such

as developing safe, low-cost batteries or ensuring

durability—could jeopardize established deadlines [12].

Any delay could undermine the public credibility the

project has gained.

Areas for Improvement. Identifying areas where Olinia

can strengthen itself is crucial to increase its chances of

success. One such area is proactively managing

regulatory adaptation: it is advisable for the technical

team to work closely with standard-setting and

transportation authorities from early stages to co-create

the electric micro-vehicle category, ensuring that

regulations are ready when the product is. This includes

matters such as safety testing methods and clear

guidelines on where these vehicles may circulate [12].

Another major challenge is the absence of a regulatory

framework for this type of vehicle. Although the project

is working on this, creating a new vehicle category and

integrating it into traffic laws and homologation

standards can be a slow process. If regulations are not

ready in time, the first Olinia units could face difficulties

circulating legally or ensuring occupant protection.

Safety is also a concern: even if these micro-vehicles are

safer than open mototaxis, they will still need to

demonstrate basic safety standards (stability, braking

performance, low-speed crash protection). Any negative

incident could generate distrust among users.

Another area for improvement is deepening user

involvement during development. Although ethnographic

research has already been conducted, it would be valuable

to carry out participatory concept-testing activities (e.g.,

focus groups with mototaxi drivers testing simulators or

early prototypes) to refine design details that improve

adoption. In the financial sphere, it will be important to

design smart subsidy or incentive mechanisms—for

example, government-backed soft loans for early

adopters, or cross-subsidies through programs replacing

In the market arena, a growing risk is competition from

imported vehicles. Although there is currently no other

electric product in Mexico that matches Olinia’s price

and size niche, electric micro-vehicles do exist in Asia

and Europe and could eventually enter the Mexican

market. Olinia will need to compete in price and

performance with potential imports, and while its

advantage lies in knowing local conditions better, staying

ahead in innovation remains a challenge. The arrival of

imported models could create competitive pressures that

hinder Olinia’s consolidation. This suggests that the

government will need to develop policies that

appropriately regulate this segment, protecting national

development without undermining competition or

principles of open trade.

polluting

vehicles—to

accelerate

initial

market

penetration. These policies would complement the

technical project with public-policy adoption measures.

Collaboration with local governments (municipalities,

boroughs) could also be explored to pilot shared-use

schemes for the micro-vehicles (such as car-sharing or

community fleets), maximizing their social impact in

marginalized areas. Regarding industrial development,

although the decentralized model is innovative, it will

require establishing a solid domestic supply chain for

components; one improvement could be to sign early

agreements with national suppliers of batteries, motors,

and parts to ensure quality and cost control.

Related to this, some private-sector actors have expressed

skepticism regarding a government-led automotive

project, arguing that it may fail due to lack of public-

sector business expertise. This skepticism comes not only

from objective analysis but also from vested interests—

for example, gasoline motorcycle manufacturers who

view Olinia as a potential disruption to their market.

Criticisms have included predictions that “the company

will collapse” or that “bureaucrats” are entering fields

Finally, in terms of public communication, maintaining

the focus on transparency and periodic dissemination of

progress—what the team calls a “open kimono”

philosophy [21]—will help sustain public support and

manage

expectations.

Continually

presenting

achievements (design milestones, prototypes, tests) not

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only provides accountability but also builds confidence

and enthusiasm among potential users and investors.

public participation can innovate with agility. This last

point would have significant implications for innovation

policy, offering a replicable model of how the state can

catalyze emerging technological sectors by joining forces

with academia and industry.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of the Olinia project shows how the

integration of public policy and technological

development can be articulated to address urban mobility

challenges in an emerging country. Olinia is conceived

simultaneously as a government program to promote

sustainable mobility and as an innovative automotive

company guided by principles of social inclusion and

commercial viability. Through its objectives and strategy,

the project seeks to solve a concrete problem—the lack of

Olinia is an ambitious project in public policy innovation

and sustainable mobility. Its strengths in strategy and

collaboration point to a promising future, although it will

need to navigate its technical, regulatory, and market

challenges carefully. If it achieves its goals, it will not

only improve the quality of life for millions by providing

clean and safe transportation, but it will also position

Mexico as a pioneer in a unique technological niche—

turning a vision of “moving Mexico with Mexican talent”

into a tangible reality. The development of Olinia

warrants close monitoring, as its insights may inspire

similar initiatives in other countries seeking local

solutions to global challenges of urban sustainability.

safe,

clean,

and

affordable

short-distance

transportation—through

solution tailored to the

Mexican context: electric micro-vehicles designed and

manufactured locally, affordable for low-income sectors,

and operable using the existing infrastructure (household

outlets).

The experience of Olinia offers several valuable insights.

First, it demonstrates the importance of strategic planning

with a long-term, state-level vision to drive innovations

that the market alone does not provide. Political support

made it possible to bring together human and financial

resources that would have been difficult to align

otherwise. Second, it highlights the potential of inter-

institutional collaboration: the strategic partnership

among universities, research centers, and the government

within a single work team has enabled the development

of a complex technology in a reduced timeframe, setting

a precedent for future science-based projects in Mexico.

Third, Olinia indicates a path toward building national

technological capabilities; rather than relying on foreign

technology transfer, it is generating Mexican knowledge,

design, and engineering, which could have long-term

spillover effects in the local automotive industry. Fourth,

the emphasis on affordability and cultural adaptation (a

Náhuatl name, an alebrije symbol) underscores that

technological solutions must be socially adoptable. This

commitment to technological inclusion—turning an

electric vehicle from a luxury good into an accessible

work tool—is especially relevant for developing

countries. Finally, Olinia shows that environmental and

economic sustainability can be mutually reinforcing:

delivering zero emissions and low energy consumption is

not incompatible with profitable business models when

there is innovation in design and production.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank the promoters of the Olinia project and

the Government of Mexico for disseminating details of

the initiative and for the information shared through

interviews and official communications, which was

essential for the preparation of this article.

This manuscript was prepared within the framework of

the TecNM research project titled “Identification and

analysis of consumer needs, perceptions, and attitudes

toward accessible electric vehicles: a study in the South

of Jalisco region”, under project code 22500.25-P.

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CONTRIBUTION ROLES TABLE

Role

Author(s)

Conceptualization José Abel Chocoteco Campos

José Abel Chocoteco Campos

«lead», Jazmín Ramírez Barocio

«equal», Clara Azucena González

López «equal»

Methodology

Yuliana Chávez Navarro «equal» -

Erika Consuelo Castillo Tapia

«equal»

Project

Administration

José Abel Chocoteco Campos

«equal» - Yuliana Chávez Navarro

«equal»

Supervision

Jazmín Ramírez Barocio «equal» -

Clara Azucena González López

«equal»

Visualization

Jazmín Ramírez Barocio «equal» -

Clara Azucena González López

«equal»

Writing (original

draft)

José Abel Chocoteco Campos

«equal» - Yuliana Chávez Navarro

«equal» - Erika Consuelo Castillo

Tapia «equal»

Writing (review

and editing)

pp.

44–59,

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[16] F. Navarrete, “‘Bara, bara’: ¿Cuáles son los autos

eléctricos más baratos con los que competirá Olinia

en México?,” El Financiero, Jan. 7, 2025. [Online].

Esta obra está bajo

una licencia internacional

Creative Commons Atribución 4.0.

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