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The Mexican government has decided to get into the EV business, with a budget EV designed and built in Mexico with mostly Mexican parts.

The idea is to replace motorcycles, over time, with something affordable, weatherproof and safer.

The headline specs on the Olinia Uno, per the official Olinia site:

• Seats: 6, each with a seatbelt, can accommodate a wheelchair
• Top speed: 50 km/h (31 mph)
• Range: 100+ km (62+ miles), urban mixed use
• Battery: 14.7 kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
• Motor: 13 kW, IP67-rated sealing
• Charging: any household outlet, about 4 hours at 220V or 8 hours at 110V, NACS connector
• Equipment: 7-inch center screen, reverse camera, LED headlights, front disc brakes, Bluetooth 5.0
• Production: from summer 2027, in Puebla, MX

The price? Starting at 150,000 pesos or around $8,500 USD. Don’t be surprised if launch price is higher, of course.

After a massive price drop, BYD’s cheapest car is the Atto 1 at only $19,990 drive away. This is easily the cheapest electric vehicle Australia has seen to date.

You get what you pay for. The specs aren’t great, but not everyone needs more than this. Range is only 220 kms so it is not suited for long-distance trips. You’d spend half the time charging.

0-100km/h in a 11.1 seconds is very much on the slow side in the EV world.

At $24,990 before on-road costs the Atto 2 is Australia’s cheapest PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

Note this is the 2027 model being announced at that price, it is not available yet.

On battery power alone it has a range of 90 kms, which is plenty for many commuters. Plus it has petrol for longer drives, up to 845 kms.