By LESTER DIZON
The first electric tax fleet in the country will operate 500 brand-new VinFast VF e34 / Nerio Green, according to the Green and Smart Mobility Joint Stock Company (GSM).
The company officially launched Green GSM =on June 10, =at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
This marked a significant milestone in the Green GSM’s “Go Green Global” plans to promote clean, green, and sustainable mobility worldwide. It ushered the company’s fourth international market, following Vietnam, Laos, and Indonesia.
The initial fleet of 500 brand-new VinFast VF e34 / Nerio Green is powered by compact battery-electric crossover SUVs that offer smooth, quiet rides and zero emissions. Green GSM taxis will ply Metro Manila to serve and ferry its over 13 million residents. The fleet’s signature cyan color blends with green, to symbolize sustainability and blue, to represent innovation, which embodies Green GSM’s vision of a modern lifestyle that respects and protects the planet, the company said in a statement.
Clean & Green
With the tagline “Hello Philippines: Move Forward the Green Way”, Green GSM aims to become a new symbol of smart and sustainable urban mobility in the Philippines. The company emphasized that by choosing to ride in the electric taxis, it’s more than just getting from one place to another – it’s an active choice to help reduce carbon emissions, air pollution, and noise while enjoying a premium, future-ready transport solution.
To ensure their riders’ convenience, fares are transparently calculated through in-car meters and displayed on the Green GSM app. The company employs professionally trained drivers who are rigorously educated in safe driving, etiquette, and customer care, providing a 5-star experience that complies with Green GSM’s international standards. Each taxi is equipped with the Secure to Safe (S2S) monitoring system to safeguard its passengers and drivers alike:
· Secure – In-car CCTV and dashcams provide real-time monitoring to manage risks and enhance security proactively.
· Safe – Drivers are trained to provide peace of mind for every passenger, with special focus on women, children, and the elderly.
· Smart – Green GSM employs advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and transparency.
Global journey
During the Green GSM grand launch at the Quezon Memorial Circle, Nguyễn Văn Thanh, the Global CEO of Green GSM, stated, “The Philippines marks a strategic chapter in our Go Green Global journey. But more than expanding to a new market, our true goal is to ignite a real transformation – shifting from traditional mobility to an electric future that is cleaner, smarter, and more socially responsible.”
Thanh addressed more than a hundred guests during the grand launch including Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Energy Director Patrick Aquino, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Safety Mentor Col. Edison “Bong” Nebrija, other government officials, dignitaries, and partners from the banking, transportation, energy, retail, technology and media.
Providing jobs, opportunities
Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque expressed her appreciation for the investment that Green GSM made in the country and the employment that the operation of their fleet of electric taxis has generated. Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vivencio “Vince” Dizon expressed gratitude for the clean, green, safe, and smart mobility offered by Green GSM, which he believed would greatly assist commuters in the metropolis.
Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III was surprised with the expediency and efficiency of the business process of Green GSM, which was founded in Vietnam in March 2023. “A year ago, they approached LTFRB with a proposal to field an initial fleet of 500 electric taxis that you see around here,” he pointed out. “Now, they are ready to ferry commuters around Metro Manila to run a fleet of 2,500 electric taxis eventually.”
Ready to serve commuters
Commuters can start riding these electric taxis using the Green GSM mobile app, which is available on the App Store and Google Play. Commuters can call the hotline 02-7777-8080, hail a Green GSM taxi on the street, or catch a ride at designated public pick-up points throughout Metro Manila.
