Mexico City, Mexico – The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is championing electric micromobility as a crucial solution to the prevalent issues of urban sprawl and excessive reliance on automobiles in Mexico City. Experts from UNAM’s Laboratory of Mobility and Green Infrastructure (LabMov) highlight the urgent need to shift towards sustainable transportation alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion, reduce energy consumption, and improve urban living.
Mexico City’s Urban Challenge: Too Much Asphalt, Too Many Cars
Mexican cities, particularly the Metropolitan Area of the Valley of Mexico, are grappling with an overwhelming presence of asphalt, automobiles, and dedicated vehicle spaces. According to LabMov data, the region’s vehicle fleet totals five million cars, with 1 to 1.5 million circulating daily.
Antonio Suárez Bonilla, coordinator of LabMov, emphasizes that urban planning should not only focus on what cities lack but also on what they possess in excess. “When designing cities, we always think about what they lack, but it is also important to reflect on what they have in excess, such as asphalt and automobiles,” Suárez Bonilla stated.
The proliferation of vehicles necessitates not only extensive roadways but also substantial complementary infrastructure. As an example, Suárez Bonilla pointed out that approximately 38% of the Mexico City International Airport’s 693-hectare site is exclusively dedicated to car parking.
Structural Changes for Sustainable Mobility
The transition to sustainable mobility demands fundamental structural changes. Suárez Bonilla asserts the imperative to promote alternatives such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and walking. “If cars are the conflict, we must promote other options,” he affirmed during the seminar “Cycle Technologies for Urban Mobility: Efficiency and Sustainability,” organized by the University Program of Studies on the City.
The challenge of achieving efficient and sustainable urban mobility lies in developing green infrastructure, built upon four core pillars: improving public spaces, increasing biodiversity, efficient water management, and implementing new mobility schemes. For this model to succeed, local governments must integrate these principles into all urban interventions, not just those directly related to transportation.
Suárez Bonilla further revealed that the transport sector accounts for 46% of national energy consumption, with cars consuming approximately 95.9% of that energy. These figures underscore the significant impact of motorized mobility on the country’s energy usage.
Micromobility: Opportunities and Regulatory Hurdles
Roberto Trinidad González Torres, a professor at LabMov, highlighted the expanding market for micromobility, which includes scooters, electric bicycles, and electric motorcycles. The global electric bicycle market alone is projected to approach USD 50 billion.
These modes of transport are ideal for short distances, commonly referred to as the “first or last mile.” However, regulatory challenges persist. “In some cities, there are regulations-such as vehicles needing to be 25 kilometers per hour, for which registration, insurance, and helmets are required-but they are not applied,” González Torres noted.
The legal ambiguity surrounding the categorization of these vehicles hinders their widespread adoption. Another significant challenge involves the development and management of batteries. González Torres explained that companies are working on recycling batteries or designing interchangeable models, which would streamline logistics and mitigate environmental impact.
The trend in vehicle design points towards lighter and more resilient models, fabricated from high-strength steels, aluminum, or fiberglass, with weights below 800 kilograms. “The idea is that they will be more like four-wheeled motorcycles, but with the power and speed of urban cars,” the specialist explained.
The integration of autonomy into these vehicles is also growing, though fully autonomous machines still face technical limitations. González Torres clarified that “they could be used exclusively as taxis in confined spaces, as their remote supervision is not good enough.”
The UNAM’s proactive stance on electric micromobility underscores a commitment to fostering greener, more efficient, and sustainable urban environments for Mexico City’s residents.
Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2026/03/30/la-unam-apuesta-por-la-micromovilidad-electrica-en-la-cdmx/
