The Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) announced the launch of a new academic specialization in hybrid and electric vehicles, set to begin on Aug. 18 at the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Energía y Movilidad (UPIEM), the institute’s director Arturo Reyes Sandoval said at a national press briefing.
Reyes Sandoval explained that the specialization aims to develop expertise in emerging sustainable mobility technologies. He highlighted IPN’s early role in vehicle electrification, recalling that in 1973 and 1974 the institute converted an internal combustion car into an electric vehicle capable of reaching 60 km/h on Mexico City streets. “Fifty years later, we remain part of this initiative, training students and researchers to address present-day challenges,” he said.
The program extends beyond vehicle design, encompassing infrastructure, testing equipment, charging stations, and an integrated quality management system. Strategic planning for an assembly plant—including market analysis, site selection, logistics, and labor considerations—is reportedly 90% complete.
The Olinia project involves 82 contributors, 33 affiliated with IPN, including senior researchers and graduate students. Reyes Sandoval emphasized the human element: “We are showing that Mexico has technological capacity and innovation.”
IPN’s outreach extends internationally, with specialists visiting China and Taiwan to explore suppliers and establish strategic partnerships. The project’s main operations are based in Puebla, with two operational sites in Mexico City coordinated by IPN for continuous oversight.
“Olinia is not just engineering—it is research, data analysis, and effective collaboration between institutions. It is a transformative project positioning Mexico as a regional leader in electric mobility,” Reyes Sandoval concluded.
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