Mexico’s Tlaxcala Debuts Local EV Compact Car

Tlaxcala has entered Mexico’s electric vehicle market with the launch of the “Totalmente Tlaxcalteca” (TT), a compact electric car priced at MX$100,000 (US$5,450. The model was unveiled during the Tlaxcala Automotive Forum 2025 and is scheduled for release in December. Officials highlighted that 80% of its components are produced locally.

The announcement was made by Javier Marroquín Calderón, head of the Secretariat of Economic Development of Tlaxcala (Sedeco), in front of over 3,400 attendees and 54 supplier companies. Governor Lorena Cuéllar Cisneros also attended the forum.

 “This project has been in development for two years. Production will start at 20 units per week, with the first batch ready for sale and exhibition in December,” Marroquín said.

The project is led by a private entrepreneur identified only as Edgar, whose surname is being kept confidential to prevent relocation of the initiative. The vehicle is designed for short-distance travel, with a 50-kilometer range and seating for five passengers. “It is intended for compact cities or high-traffic urban areas,” Sedeco noted.

The TT is positioned as an affordable daily mobility option, rather than a competitor to international brands. Forum organizers highlighted its role as an alternative to motorcycles or compact gasoline cars. “Elon Musk has been announcing a low-cost ‘Model 2’ for years without release. In Mexico, we already have a tangible project with a fixed price and launch date,” they said.

The Tlaxcala initiative coincides with federal efforts such as Olinia, based in Puebla, the first Mexican company focused on mini electric vehicles for urban transport. With an investment of MX$25 million in 2025, Olinia collaborates with the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) and the National Technological Institute of Mexico (TecNM) on technology development. It uses a distributed production model, manufacturing parts in different states and assembling them regionally to reduce costs and delivery times.

Officials said the project fosters collaboration between academia, the private sector, and local governments. Olinia plans to launch vehicles priced between MX$90,000 and MX$150,000 “The objective is not luxury or advanced technology, but a model that allows anyone to move easily in the city without relying on public transport or fuel,” the company stated.

The federal government is preparing trade measures that could affect Olinia’s market, including proposed tariffs of 50% on Chinese cars and motorcycles, its main price competitors.

Olinia intends to release three models: a compact vehicle for individuals, a larger option for families, and a delivery-focused unit for businesses. Both TT and Olinia aim to reduce fossil fuel emissions, expand access to transportation, and strengthen local industry.