Mexican government unveils a prototype for a new homegrown, ultra-affordable EV

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Vehicle concept & design

  • Olinia One is positioned between a car and a rickshaw/tuktuk; many compare it to a golf cart or European “microcar.”
  • Specs discussed: 125 km (77 mi) range, ~50 km/h (31 mph) top speed, ~MXN 150k (USD 8.5k), seats up to six, wheelchair-accessible.
  • It is explicitly described as designed for urban use in Mexico, not as a general-purpose highway car.

Range, speed, and practicality

  • Many US-focused commenters see 77 miles of range and 31 mph top speed as a non-starter for US-style commuting or highway use.
  • Others argue that if you charge at home or work and mostly do short trips, daily charging and limited range are fine.
  • Several note that most trips (by count) are short, but some argue car buyers optimize for rare long trips and total mileage, not average trip length.
  • There is debate over whether extremely low-cost EVs could succeed as second/third cars or city-only cars if priced well under USD 10k.

Fit for Mexican context

  • Commenters stress it targets Mexican cities (e.g., Mexico City), where average speeds are very low and typical daily distances fit within 125 km.
  • Electricity cost, weak residential electrical infrastructure, and slow home charging are highlighted as real constraints.
  • Some see it as a potential taxi or hotel–beach shuttle, or a safer alternative to ubiquitous motorcycles and scooters, though others note it’s still much more expensive than two-wheelers.

Regulation, safety, and classification

  • Several doubt it could pass US car safety regulations; it may be closer to a micro-vehicle, motorcycle, or low-speed vehicle category.
  • In Europe, similar vehicles can be driven with minimal licensing; in the US, rules for such vehicles are described as murky.

Trade, tariffs, and industry implications

  • A large subthread discusses US fears of cheap foreign EVs (from Mexico/China) undercutting domestic makers.
  • Proposed responses include tariffs, subsidies, forcing local production, or letting weak firms fail.
  • Some argue foreign competition would force US automakers to innovate and produce cheaper EVs; others emphasize protecting domestic jobs and industrial capacity.