Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast will roll out its Green SM electric taxi service in the Delhi-NCR region next Monday. The company will start off with 1,000 electric cabs and plans to have a total of 15,000 cars across major Indian cities by the end of December.
Green SM Offers Fixed Rates and Zero Surge Pricing
- Green SM stands for Green and Smart Mobility.
- Fares start at a flat rate of Rs 8 per kilometer.
- The company removes all peak hour surge pricing.
- Drivers get a fixed monthly salary up to Rs 40,000.
The cabs are here. You can book these bright turquoise electric cars to travel around Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram without paying extra money. The company owns the entire fleet and hires drivers on monthly salaries. Actually, I find this flat rate of Rs 8 per kilometer very good for our pockets. Look, traditional app cabs often charge you up to Rs 30 per kilometer when it rains.
Green SM promises to stop this heavy pricing completely. (I always get angry when prices jump during office hours). They run these taxis in 62 cities in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Now they want to expand to Bengaluru and Hyderabad later this year. Drivers will get a monthly fixed income of between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000.
The Company Builds Spacious Electric Cars Inside India
- VinFast uses the Limo Green seven seater electric MPV.
- The taxi has a boot capacity of 1,240 litres for luggage.
- These vehicles are made in a local factory in Tamil Nadu.
- Premium passenger models like VF 6 cost above Rs 20 lakh.
You cannot buy this particular taxi for personal use. VinFast designs the Limo Green model strictly for public transport and airport trips. Basically, it gives you a huge amount of space for your family and bags. When you fold down the third row seats, you get 1,240 liters of trunk capacity.
To be honest, this is perfect for those heavy airport bags. The parent company opened a factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu last August to assemble these cars locally. This plant can turn out 150,000 cars a year. They also make premium consumer SUVs there, like the VF 6 and VF 7. For personal buyers, the VF 6 gives a range of 468 kilometers and charges from 10 percent to 70 percent in 25 minutes.
How to Book a Ride With Green SM
- Download the official mobile application from your app store.
- Set your pickup point and drop location on the map.
- Confirm your ride and track the incoming electric car.
You will find it very easy to use this new service. First, download the Green SM app on your smartphone and register your phone number. Second, type your destination address in the search box. Third, select the Limo Green vehicle option and check the total fare. Finally, tap the book button to match with a nearby driver. The app tracks the car in real time so you know exactly when it arrives.
My Verdict
I feel that this new service will give tough competition to Uber and Ola in India. The flat rate of Rs 8 per kilometer without any surge pricing is a huge benefit for regular commuters. You get a comfortable seven seater ride, a clean environment, and well trained drivers. VinFast is investing a lot of money into local Indian manufacturing to keep its costs low. If they can maintain their fleet well and keep their app working smoothly, you will love using these bright turquoise cabs for your daily office travel.
