The president has mentioned the Olinia project, an affordable electric car that could change the landscape of Mexico in vehicle production. This project would allow Mexico to participate in the entire production chain of electric vehicles, not just in the raw materials supply phase. To support this initiative, the creation of a state-owned company responsible for the extraction and production of lithium, an essential material for the batteries of these vehicles, is proposed.
"I hope the plans grow, rather than shrink expectations. Mexico is ready for this and more," commented the president regarding this proposal. The convenience of lithium reserves in brines is highlighted, considered more accessible and less costly for production compared to other sources.
The possible appointment of Elon Musk as the U.S. government's "anti-regulation czar" has sparked interest in the automotive industry. Musk has expressed his intention to eliminate restrictions on the movement of autonomous vehicles in U.S. cities, which could boost the market for so-called "robo-taxis."
The United States' dependence on lithium imports and the news about reserves of this material in Arkansas have drawn attention to the strategic importance of having domestic supplies. This revelation could change the global landscape in the electric vehicle industry, especially considering the increasing demand expected in the coming years.
President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed her interest in Mexico becoming a leading producer of lithium, with the goal of boosting a national electric vehicle industry. The discovery of reserves in Arkansas presents new opportunities and challenges for development plans in the country, opening the possibility of strengthening the production chain of electric vehicles from the extraction of raw materials.
