Vietnamese electric vehicle giant VinFast is reportedly preparing a major entry into India’s ride-hailing and electric taxi market through its mobility arm Green SM (Green Smart Mobility). The company is expected to launch thousands of electric taxis across major Indian cities, potentially intensifying competition for existing players like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
Delhi-NCR Likely To Be The First Launch Market
According to reports, Green SM may begin operations in Delhi-NCR before expanding into Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other metro cities. The company is reportedly planning an initial rollout of around 1,000 electric taxis, with long-term ambitions to scale the fleet to nearly 15,000 vehicles across India.
Unlike typical aggregator models, Green SM is expected to operate a fleet-owned and company-managed structure. This means the company could directly control the vehicles, drivers, maintenance standards, charging systems, and service quality rather than relying heavily on independent driver-partners.
What Makes Green SM Different?
One of the biggest highlights of the upcoming service is its reported pricing strategy. Several reports suggest rides may start from around ₹8 per kilometre, placing the fares close to or slightly above current Ola and Uber pricing in some cities.
However, Green SM is reportedly planning to avoid surge pricing during peak office hours or bad weather conditions — a major pain point for Indian commuters using ride-hailing apps today.
The company is also said to be offering attractive salary structures and incentives for drivers, with some reports mentioning monthly earnings of ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 along with insurance benefits.
VinFast’s ‘Limo Green’ EV Could Lead The Fleet
The taxis are expected to use VinFast’s upcoming “Limo Green” electric MPV, a commercial-focused EV designed specifically for fleet and mobility operations. Spy shots of the vehicle have already surfaced on Indian roads during testing.
The Limo Green is expected to feature:
- A spacious 3-row cabin
- Around 450 km claimed range
- Fast-charging support
- Fleet-oriented interiors and durability features
Industry experts believe the vehicle could compete with premium fleet EVs such as the BYD eMax 7 and upcoming electric MPVs in India’s urban mobility segment.
Why India Is Important For VinFast
India is emerging as a crucial growth market for VinFast’s global expansion plans. The company has already established manufacturing operations in Tamil Nadu and is rapidly expanding dealerships, service centres, and EV charging partnerships across the country.
VinFast has also partnered with HPCL through its charging subsidiary V-Green to expand EV charging infrastructure at fuel stations across India.
The move into ride-hailing appears to be part of a broader ecosystem strategy where VinFast can simultaneously promote its EV brand, improve charging network usage, and familiarise Indian consumers with its vehicles through daily taxi operations.
A New EV Battle In India’s Taxi Market
Green SM’s entry comes at a time when India’s EV taxi market is rapidly evolving. The temporary slowdown of some electric cab operators has created space for new entrants, especially those with vertically integrated EV ecosystems.
If executed successfully, VinFast’s strategy could significantly disrupt India’s urban mobility market by combining affordable fares, company-managed fleets, electric mobility, and stable pricing models.
Summary
VinFast is reportedly preparing to launch its Green SM electric taxi service in India, starting with Delhi-NCR and later expanding to other metro cities. The company may deploy up to 15,000 electric taxis with fares starting around ₹8 per kilometre. Using its upcoming Limo Green electric MPV and company-managed fleet model, Green SM aims to challenge Ola, Uber, and Rapido in India’s fast-growing EV mobility market.
