Can Mexico build an electric car for $8,000, and use it to create an entirely new domestic industry? This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington visits Mexico City to sit down with Roberto Capuano, director of the Olinia Project, and discuss the state-backed effort to develop a new generation of affordable electric mini-vehicles. 

Roberto explains why Olinia is designing small EVs specifically around the needs of Mexican cities, how partnerships with Chinese suppliers could accelerate technology transfer, and why price rather than subsidies could ultimately drive EV adoption. They also discuss Mexico's ambitions beyond its domestic market, with potential demand across Latin America and even East Africa.

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Why Mexico wants its own carmaker
  • Electrifying Mexico City's public transport
  • The rise of electric mini-cars
  • Building an $8,000 Mexican EV
  • Why Olinia is partnering with China
  • The state's role in carmaking
  • Building a Latin American EV market
  • Can Olinia deliver by 2027? 

Leadership Circle:

Cleaning Up is proud to be supported by its Leadership Circle. The members are Actis, Alcazar Energy, Arup, Climate Imperative Foundation, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, Cygnum Capital, Davidson Kempner, EcoPragma Capital, EDP, Eurelectric, KKR, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature Climate Foundation, Schneider Electric, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on the Leadership Circle, please visit cleaningup.live.

Links:

Chapters:

  • 00:00 Intro 
  • 02:15 Electrifying Mexico City 
  • 10:33 Olinia's Origins 
  • 11:58 Mini Electric Cars 
  • 18:48 Made in Mexico 
  • 21:25 State-Led Industry 
  • 30:33 Chinese Supply Chains 
  • 36:31 The $8,000 EV 
  • 40:01 Charging Infrastructure 
  • 42:54 Global Ambitions 
  • 45:43 Scaling Olinia 
  • 48:40 Software and Autonomy 
  • 50:01 Political Longevity 
  • 55:31 Outro 



 

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