Tesla trembles: Mexico will produce its own cheap electric car

Tesla isn’t known for selling cheap cars, at least not in Mexico. Although the company announced it would cut the base Model 3 in mid-August, its current price is double that of the country’s best-selling vehicle. To counteract this, The Mexican government has announced that it will produce an affordable electric car. for everyone’s pocket.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed details of the project for the first low-cost electric car to be produced in the country. Known as Oline Car (“move” in Nahuatl) this car will compact, similar to those sold in Asian countries. Sheinbaum said the project is part of the government’s 100 commitments over a six-year period.

“We want a compact, small electric car, similar to those developed, for example, in China or India, but with our own design,” the president said. “In such a way that everything in this electric car is made in our countryWith. “As much as possible, we import as little as possible so that it creates value chains, creates jobs and other opportunities.”

Claudia Sheinbaum added that They already have several prototypes of Olinia. and promised that they would appear at one of the morning conferences. The government will take advantage of the fact that there are already companies producing electric motors in the country. Also, The production of materials such as copper and lithium mining will be encouraged.a mineral nationalized during the López Obrador administration.

Tesla cars are expensive, according to Claudia Sheinbaum

During the presentation of Olinia parts, Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that this is a cheap car. The government notes that An electric car will become an alternative to a motorcycleas they are “very dangerous” and sometimes carry more than two people.

“The idea is to make a small compact car. You know that in the cities of our country, and in the world, there are different types of cars. A Tesla car, for example, an electric car, is very expensive.”

The Carro Olinia will be similar to compact cars such as the MG Comet, which offer entry-level features at a price not exceeding €9,000 (P185,500). At the moment, The cheapest electric cars in Mexico are Renault Kwid E-Tech and JAC E10X.both start at P357,000.

It should be noted that although Olinia may be the cheapest, andThere are other 100% Mexican electric cars.. Zacua is a company that makes electric cars by hand. The company has opened a plant in Puebla and sells two compact models – MX2 ​​and MX3, providing autonomy of up to 200 km.

At the moment, details such as the design, specifications or possible launch date of Olinia are unknown. The President promised to show the first prototypes and comment on the viability of this project in the future. Sheinbaum had already shown interest in low-cost electric vehicles when he donated a Tsuru with a rechargeable battery during his time as head of the Mexico City government.