After nearly a decade of work, Guadalajara is nearing the completion of its effort to replace the city’s iconic horse-drawn carriages for tourists with electric models.
On Wednesday, Guadalajara Mayor Verónica Delgadillo handed over 31 new electric calandrias to their owners, leaving only eight horse-drawn carriages still operating in the historic city center, alongside 47 electric models.
The Guadalajara City Council and the Jalisco government each contributed seven million pesos to fund the purchase of the new carriages, and the municipal government will provide storage and charging facilities for them.
Delgadillo noted that the invitation remains open for the remaining horse-drawn carriage owners to switch to electric models. “We cannot force them,” she acknowledged. She assured that any horses no longer needed for the carriages would be well cared for and even used for equine therapy.
The mayor emphasized that the new electric units would preserve the tradition of sightseeing tours while reinforcing the city’s commitment to being clean, modern, and sustainable—ensuring a harmonious balance with its animal welfare policies.
“This demonstrates that we are a global city of great grandeur, one that embraces both tradition and modernity,” Delgadillo said.
Historians note that horse-drawn carriages have been a tradition in Guadalajara for more than 120 years. The shift to electric carriages began in 2016, during the municipal administration of then-mayor Enrique Alfaro Ramírez, with the first units funded by sponsorships. Although the transition initially faced resistance, support has grown in recent years, as evidenced by this week’s successful integration of new owners into the project. The shift in acceptance of the electric units has come together with a rise in animal rights activism.